From the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, October, 1841. - A reviewer in the British and Operations for Stammering. Foreign Medical Review, July, 1841, thus speaks of them. "The sanguinary operations which have been recently devised and executed, with the view of curing Stammering, are one of the greatest outrages upon modern Surgery. Although some of them had their origin in legitimate motives, most, we fear, serve but to show what ruthless expedients will be occasionally resorted to for the purpose of acquiring professional fame, however short-lived, and to what extent the ignorant and credulous will become a prey to craft and subtlety. If our indignation was awakened at the barbarous cruelties practised upon dumb animals for the sake of elucidating the truths of Physiology, how much more ought it to be when we consider the multitude of our fellow-beings who have suffered themselves to be maimed and mutilated at the instigation of individuals more remarkable for their reckless use of the knife than for the soundness of their Medical Science!" From a very intelligent young German Physician, recently on a visit to this country, we learn that Dieffenbach has abandoned his operation, on the ground that the danger to the life of the patient exceeds the chance of a cure. And we also learn that many of the cases announced as cures, were merely temporarily relieved. 66 REMARKS. Nothing can be more unphilosophical and absurd than these operations for the radical cure of Stammering. Will removing wedge-shaped" portions of the tongue, passing needles through its substance, or dividing the genio-hyo-glossi muscles, inspire a Stammerer with confidence, or give him a knowledge of Elocution? If Stammering depended on the permanent contraction of a muscle, as in Strabismus, it would be rational to conclude that it might be relieved by a surgical operation; but as the exciting cause, in the majority of cases, exists in the mind, and not in the tongue, an operation on the latter can be of no permanent advantage. QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY THE PUPIL. [NOTE. ·These Questions were omitted in the proper placethey should have followed those on page 166.] Page 134. What letters are employed for noting the disposition of the fingers? What letters are used for noting the manner of presenting the palm? What letters are used for noting the elevation of the arms? What letters are used for noting the posture of the arms in the transverse direction? What letters are used for noting the force of motion of the hands and arms? ters are used for noting the direction of motion? What let Page 135. What letters are used for noting the manner of motion? What letters are used for noting the posture of the head and direction of the eyes? What letters and numerals are used for noting the positions of the feet? What letters are used for noting the degree of extension of the feet? What letters are used for noting the steps? Page 136. What letters are used to note parts on which the hand may be placed? What letters are used to note the manner of combining the fingers of both hands? What letters are used for noting the combinations of both arms? What does a capital B, preceding and joined to a set of small letters, signify? Name some of the letters used in noting significant gestures. Page 137. Into how many classes are the notation letters divided? What is meant by a set of letters? To what does each letter in a set, respectively relate? Illustrate this by an example. Do the letters and sets of letters relate to both arms indifferently? How are they distinguished? When there is a single set of letters, how is it known whether it belongs to the right hand and arm, or to the left? Page 138. How is a set of letters, designed for both arms, distinguished? How is a change of gesture noted? How is alternate gesture expressed? By what kind of letters are the postures of the head and the direction of the eyes indicated, and where are they placed? Where are the letters placed, which mark the positions of the feet? Page 156. In notating an oration, is it necessary to mark every gesture? Page 157. What is necessary to be attended to in the recitation of descriptions of any kind? Why should not the same gesture be often repeated? What general rule should be observed in oratorical action? What is the best method for acquiring a finished rhetorical delivery? RULES, CONDITIONS, RECOM- RULES, ADOPTED IN 1840. From experience in teaching without fixed rules for the regula tion of the conduct of the different classes, the Proprietor of the Institution is convinced of their importance. He has, therefore, drawn up the following, to which he requires each member to subscribe on entering the school. 1. Each member of the Institution must be punctual in attendance at all the exercises: he must not leave till their close. 2. Each member must attend every exhibition at the Vocal Gymnasium, and at every other place. 3. Each member, while exercising, must stand or sit erect. Neither postures, motions, nor acts, unfavourable to vocal delivery, are allowed: such as rocking, throwing one's self back in the chair, or resting the arms upon the back of it, or even the feet upon the rounds. 4. When, in concert exercises, a section is given out, it must be immediately repeated by every member of the class, in the proper pitch and time, and with the requisite degree of force. 5. When a piece is given out with gesticulation, the members of the class must rise simultaneously, immediately after the first section is pronounced, and repeat the words and gesture. 6. Each student must perform all the exercises with unwearied industry: in a manner which shall indicate that he is resolved on a cure. 7. As walking about the room, changing seats, &c., greatly interrupt the process of instruction, the members of the class are required to keep in their places during the exercises. This rule, of course, does not apply to those exercises which require the class to keep time by marching. 8. No one is allowed to have any thing in his hands, except his book, during the exercises. 9. All colloquial intercourse, in the time of exercising, is strictly forbidden. 10. No whistling, loud talking, or other unnecessary noise, in entering, or in leaving the room, is allowed. 11. As any remarks calculated to discourage the Stammerer from persevering in the exercises, greatly retard, if not entirely prevent a cure, every member of the Institution is required to refrain from making them. Presuming that the deportment of each Student, will, on every occasion, be that of a gentleman; the Proprietor of the Institu tion confidently trusts that the above rules will not be violated. VOCAL GYMNASIUM AND LYCEUM FOR ELOCUTION, DESIGNED FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH, THE CURE OF STAMMERING, AND IMPROVEMENT IN READING AND SPEAKING. Location.-Over the Lecture Room of the Seventh Presbyterian Church, rear of the United States Hotel. Entrance by Ranstead Court, Fourth Street above Chesnut. Open from the first of September till the last of June, July and August, being vacation months. In this Institution, Elocution is treated as a science, as well as an art. The varicus movements of the voice, both in speech and song, are illustrated by original diagrams and by oral instruction. The exercises give the pupil complete command of the muscles of articulation, extend the compass of the voice, and render it smooth, powerful, and melodious. They not only call forth all the energies of the vocal organs, correct stammering, lisping, and other impediments of speech; but they invigorate the lungs, and, consequently, fortify them against the invasion of disease. SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTION. Variety of exercises on the Elements of Speech; formation of the Orotund, and other varieties of the Speaking Voice; formation of the Singing Voice; illustration of Rhythm; variety of exercises in the Intervals of Pitch; exercises in Reading and Recitation. 20 lessons, each class 50 15 10 ....... Instruction in classes, The ticket, in each case, to be paid for in advance. Satisfactory references will be given in the principal cities throughout the Union. ANDREW COMSTOCK, M. D. To the Editor of the Troy Daily Whig: SIR-You are aware that a gentleman from Philadelphia, Dr. Comstock, is now giving lessons in Elocution; but perhaps you are not aware of the merits of his system or the extent of its usefulness; it is in many respects entirely original, in others founded on the investigations of the most distinguished vocalists. I have attended a few lessons, and am highly gratified that I have embraced the opportunity. Some of the gentlemen who have professed to teach Elocution in our city have given some satisfaction, but none have been able to handle the subject as he takes it up; his treatment of it is simple, natural, philosophical; he is prepared to meet any case of impediment in speaking, reading, or singing. If a pupil can speak or read at all, Dr. Comstock will teach him to do it well. Musicians also would do well to look into his system: they will find in it exercises to give force and melody to the voice that have never occurred to them. And besides the improvement in singing, and that most valuable of all accomplishments, good reading, there is another to be derived from these exercises, which is far more important than either-it promotes health. The plan is so constructed as to call forth all the energies of the vocal organsthe lungs particularly are fortified and invigorated by practice according to his system; and in this view of the subject I would suggest to our physicians, who in general evince great assiduity and skill in preventing as well as removing disease, that they do so much for the public weal, as to call on Dr. Comstock that they may know the advantages of the vocal exercises. It is to be regretted that Dr. Comstock will remain but a short time with us; but short as it is, those who wish to profit by his instructions will have time to do so. Yours, P. August 15, 1834. From the Philadelphia Commercial Intelligencer, August 20, 1834. We have observed with pleasure in the Troy Whig of the 15th instant, a favourable notice of that excellent Elocutionist of our city, Dr. Comstock. He is giving lessons in Elocution at Troy with much success. From the Troy Daily Whig of August 30, 1834. DR. COMSTOCK'S LECTURES. MR. EDITOR-Yesterday, I had the pleasure to hear an interesting Lecture on Elocution, by Andrew Comstock, M. D. from the city of Philadelphia. He understands the elementary sounds of the English Language well, and appears to have entire command over the vocal organs. He ex |