Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notesFranklin, Benjamin
General
Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Where the Author has us'd an Expression not the best, let it be pointed
out; and let his Beauties be particularly remarked to the Youth.
Let the Lessons for Reading be varied, that the Youth may be made
acquainted with good Stiles of all Kinds in Prose and Verse, and the
proper Manner of reading each Kind. Sometimes a well-told Story, a Piece
of a Sermon, a General's Speech to his Soldiers, a Speech in a Tragedy,
some Part of a Comedy, an Ode, a Satyr, a Letter, Blank Verse,
Hudibrastick, Heroic, etc. But let such Lessons for Reading be chosen,
as contain some useful Instruction, whereby the Understandings or Morals
of the Youth, may at the same Time be improv'd.
It is requir'd that they should first study and understand the Lessons,
before they are put upon reading them properly, to which End each Boy
should have an _English_ Dictionary, to help him over Difficulties. When
our Boys read _English_ to us, we are apt to imagine _they_ understand
what _they_ read, because _we_ do, and because 'tis their Mother Tongue.
But they often read as Parrots speak, knowing little or nothing of the
Meaning. And it is impossible a Reader should give the due Modulation to
his Voice, and pronounce properly, unless his Understanding goes before
his Tongue, and makes him Master of the Sentiment. Accustoming Boys to
read aloud what they do not first understand, is the Cause of those even
set Tones so common among Readers, which when they have once got a Habit
of using, they find so difficult to correct: By which Means, among Fifty
Readers, we scarcely find a good One. For want of good Reading, Pieces
publish'd with a View to influence the Minds of Men for their own or the
publick Benefit, lose Half their Force. Were there but one good Reader
in a Neighbourhood, a publick Orator might be heard throughout a Nation
with the same Advantages, and have the same Effect on his Audience, as
if they stood within the Reach of his Voice.
THE THIRD CLASS
to be taught Speaking properly and gracefully, which is near of Kin to
good Reading, and naturally follows it in the Studies of Youth. Let the
Scholars of this Class begin with learning the Elements of Rhetoric from
some short System, so as to be able to give an Account of the most usual
Tropes and Figures. Let all their bad Habits of Speaking, all Offences
against good Grammar, all corrupt or foreign Accents, and all improper
Phrases, be pointed out to them. Short Speeches from the _Roman_, or
other History, or from our _Parliamentary Debates_, might be got by
heart, and deliver'd with the proper Action, &c. Speeches and Scenes in
our best Tragedies and Comedies (avoiding every Thing that could injure
the Morals of Youth) might likewise be got by Rote, and the Boys
exercis'd in delivering or acting them; great Care being taken to form
their Manner after the truest Models.
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