Elocution; or, mental and vocal philosophy: involving the principles of reading and speaking; and designed for the development and cultivation of both body and mind ... illustrated by two or three hundred choice anecdotes; three thousand oratorical and poetical readings; five thousand proverbs, maxims and laconics, and several hundred elegant engravings

Louisville: Morton & Griswold; New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. [et al.], n.d., 1845. 8vo, pp. xvi, 17-320; text in double column; numerous wood-engraved illustrations throughout; some minor foxing and staining; small crack at the top of the spine; a good, sound copy in original brown cloth, gilt lettered spine. Contains a "Preface to the fifth edition," dated New York, 1845. A popular book which went through many editions. "The introductory information in his Elocution, or, Mental and Vocal Philosophy (1845) suggests that he was struck by some physical disorder that made speech difficult for him, a severe nervous stutter or something even more serious, which in the absence of other sources might be presumed as the cause of his suspension" from the ministry at St. Paul's in Norwalk, Ohio. "He is credited as having inspired Poe to write "Ulalume" (see Poe to C. P. Bronson, about Oct-Nov. 1847). His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bronson, married William Gates Le Duc, of Hastings, Minnesota, on March 25, 1851. Mrs. Le Duc wrote a brief but charming reminisence of Poe in the Home Journal, July 21, 1860 (Recollections of Edgar A. Poe, with a byline of "Mrs. - --," reprinted by Carroll D. Laverty in American Literature, May 1948). See eapoe.org. (Inventory #: 54910)