recommendations as a teacher from places where he had taught the University of Michigan, the Western Maryland College and the Theological Seminary at Westminster and Martha's Vineyard. In Vanderbilt University he taught for fourteen years without a complaint from the students and to the entire satisfaction of the Board of Trust, the present and former Chancellor. The Chancellor of the Southwestern Presbyterian University and the President of the Nashville College for Young Ladies, in whose schools he taught, spoke of his teaching in the highest terms. His services as a teacher were in demand at various summer schools. The hundreds of students that he taught endorse him, and many of them through their success public speakers and teachers are themselves practical demonstrations of the excellent training they received from him. Indeed, no defense of Professor Merrill as teacher is needed wherever he has taught; but as Dr. Curry's article has doubtless reached many who knew of him only as a reader, it is but just to Professor Merrill that they should know that Dr. Curry's estimate of him is exceptional, and that generally recognition is given not only to the excellence of his platform work but to the value and high quality of his teaching.

J. T. McGILL. Vanderbilt University, Nov. 4, 1900.

MR. S. H. CLARK AND VISIBLE SPEECH.

To the Editor of Werner's Magazine:

as

Ruskin tells us of a self-conscious young Englishman who "was kind enough to pause" before one of the great_masterpieces in a Florentine gallery. This act of absurd condescension is vividly recalled by the attitude taken toward James E. Murdoch by a writer in WERNER'S MAGAZINE of September last. The article is entitled "From a Reader's Point of View."

In the ballad of "The Ass and the Nightingale" we have an admirable example of the critical tone which this writer adopts.

"Thy voice wants sharpness, but if chanticleer Would give thee a few lessons doubtless he Might raise thy tone and modulate thine ear."

After various trite suggestions as to remedial practice our author modestly puts forth as entirely original a few well-worn methods such as have been known and practiced since the days when Demosthenes taught himself elocution with a mouthful of pebbles on the sea-shore. He then proceeds to characterize in phrases of low music-hall slang one of the great inventions of the age. The uninformed are apt to blunder. Visible Speech is by no means restricted to the teaching of the deaf. Prof. Lewis B. Monroe, dean of the Boston University School of Oratory, gave it a prominent place in the curriculum of that institution. He considered it the only scientific method of teaching the pronunciation of

all languages and indispensable for the acquirement of correct English as well as for the eradication of all vocal defects. Dr. A. Graham Bell, the distinguished son of its inventor, was in charge of this depart

ment.

Alexander Melville Bell, F. E. I. S.. F. R. S. S. A., etc., Professor of Vocal Physiology, inventor of Visible Speech, Lecturer on Elocution in Edinburgh University and the New College, and in University College, London, Lecturer on Phonetics in Oxford University, England (on invitation of Prof. Max Müller), also at Johns Hopkins University, stands above the praise or blame of flippant commentators. Yet, when any member of the elocutionary profession shows total ignorance regarding a subject which he characterizes in vulgar phrase, it is time some one enlightened him.

Johnson, on being asked what is the best way to acquire style, replied: "Give your days and nights to the study of Addison." In like manner, it might be urged that those who wish to acquire the fundamentals discovered by our writer could not do better then to give days and nights to the study of Bell where they will find these essentials scientifically set forth.

New York.

MARY S. THOMPSON.

NASTY!-Miss Ethel-I wonder if that gentleman can hear me when I sing?

Maid Of course he can. He is closing the window already.

At a camp meeting there were elderly women sitting at the front in oak-split rocking chairs. We found out later that they comprised the choir, for when the parson gave out the hymn, "Oh, for a thousand tongues to praise," one of these elderly females tried to "raise the tune.

"Oh-for-a-" She had struck the high C, and her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and began again. "Oh-for-a-thou-" and she was an octave low, while her voice sounded as if it was lost in her boots. Just then a defunct stock broker in the crowd of listeners jumped to his feet and cried out: "Start her at five hundred, old lady, and see if you can't shove her off."

in?

Why, yes, Dora, I have a book of recitations. What kind of a piece do you want?"

Well, I was thinkin' ob somep'n' in de nature of a catalogue." "A what?

A catalogue. Y'know; a piece with one person a-talkin' an' 'nother one answerin' 'em back. Has you got a piece like dat? I'd like it fust rate!"

At a dinner in Rottingdean lately, a Royal Academician stated to the company the curious fact that sugar and sumac are the only two words in English where su is pronounced as shu. There was much interest shown in the discovery, when Rudyard Kipling was heard from the other end of the table: But are you quite sure?"

"Don't you think he has wonderful control over his voice?" said the young woman. "No," answered Miss Cayenne, "I can't say I think that. He sings every time any one asks him to."

"He says his wife learned to sing in Paris." "That may be. She certainly can't sing in Philadelphia."

T

HIS greatest of English singers had

also the longest professional career of any singer on record. In 1895, when 74 years old, he remarried, and started out on a singing-tour through Australia. Notwithstanding his long career, and unprecedented artistic success, he died a poor man, and only a civil pension of $500, granted by Queen Victoria in the early part of this year, saved him from utter destitution. In 1890, WERNER'S MAGAZINE published his autobiography, and we can not do better than reproduce it now as the most complete and authoritative history of this wonderful singer.

SIMS REEVES'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Looking back over a vista of 50 years, what strange vicissitudes may we not recall. Especially is this so upon the stage, where wear and tear, mental and physical, is deep and sustained.

I was born at Shooter's Hill, Eng., Oct. 21, 1821. My father was a musician; and he not only practiced the art but also taught it. I

paniments, from the original figured basses, and at the age of fourteen I performed the duties of organist at North Cray church, where I likewise had charge of the choir.

I was not the only member of my family that could sing. Both my brothers had excellent voices, and became tenors. One of them, Henry, sang for many years with success in the United States; the other, Edwin, enjoyed great reputation as a

teacher. It does not

often happen that three tenor singers are found in one family. We all had, moreover, genuine tenor voices, and sang in the proper tenor register; not the half counter-tenor voices of the present generation. I also learned to play the violin, violoncello, oboe, and bassoon. In fact, so proficient did I become as a violinist, that at the beginning of my career I not seldom undertook the duties of orchestral leader.

During 1837 and 1838 I studied in London. The vocal professor under whom I studied treated me as a barytone; and as a barytone I came upon the stage and succeeded. There have been instances of singers coming out as tenors and finding afterward that they have barytone voices; but, other than myself, I am not aware of a vocalist commencing as a barytone and then rising to a tenor. I also studied harmony and counterpoint under Mr. H. Cal

learned the musical notes almost with the letters of the alphabet; and when I was a child I had to rise, take my bath, dress, and be ready for my piano-forte lesson by five o'clock in the morning. I believe my father taught me well, but I am sure he taught me strictly and severely. A false

note on the piano was speedily followed by a blow from his violin bow, which, directed at my knuckles, never missed its aim. Of course, I had no business to make a mistake; but often the means adopted for setting me right threw me into the greatest confusion.

. Besides being taught the piano, and soon afterward the organ, I learned at a very early age to sing, and it was said used my voice with no little skill. When I was a boy of ten I could play all Handel's organ accom

cott.

Although I resolved to be a singer, my father thought it prudent to teach me a trade on which, in case of failing in my profession, I could fall back. I was taught to engrave music plates. During my studies in London I heard all the great Italian singers of the time, Grisi, Persiani, Brambilla. Rubini, Ivanhoff, Mario, Moriani, Tamburini, Colletti, Fornasari, Lablache, and many others. I never liked Tamburini; his style was affected and meretricious. He looked and carried himself well on the stage, but Giorgio Ronconi, to use a slang expression, knocked him into a cocked hat, both as actor and singer. It was then that I made

up my mind to adopt the stage and dramatic singing as my profession.

I tried my luck as an amateur, and succeeded so well that I applied to an agent, who procured me an opening at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle-on-Tyne; and here, Dec., 1839, I made my first appearance on any stage. I was then in my 18th year. My role was the Gypsy Boy in Guy Mannering." I at once succeeded, and was offered the barytone parts of Count Rodolfo, in Sonnambula," and Dandini, in "La Cenerentola." I played walking gentleman, small parts in tragedies, and even a part in pantomime. Anything that was assigned to me I cheerfully undertook. Not caring to appear in my own name I adopted the familiar one of Johnson.

Having found through personal experience the true register of my voice, I placed myself in the hands of Mr. Hobbs and Mr. T. Cooke for training as a tenor, and was soon offered an appearance as second tenor at Drury Lane, then under the management of Macready.

In 1843 I went to Paris to take lessons of Sig. Bordogni. From Paris I went to Milan, where I studied for some time under Sig. Mazzucato. Here my voice, expression and style were so much appreciated that I was asked to appear at La Scala, and chose for my debut the part of Edgardo in "Lucia di Lammermoor," winning warm public applause and compliments from Rubini. I also appeared with success at other Italian theaters.

On my return to England I joined, in Dec., 1847, a company formed by the late M. Jullien for playing English opera at Drury Lane, and made my first appearance before a London audience in a leading operatic character, that of Edgardo in English. In 1848 I made my first appearance in oratorio, the work selected being "Judas Maccabæus," under the direction of Mr. John Hullah.

In Feb., 1851, I made my second trip to Dublin with Miss Emma Lucombe, who was a fine soprano singer and my wife. When this engagement ended I was called to sing at the Théâtre des Italiens, Paris, and made a very favorable impression. All through my career I have attached the greatest importance to enunciation. To express with appropriate feeling the full meaning of the words was my first aim.

Of late years I have appeared but little on the operatic stage, confining myself chiefly to concert singing and oratorio. During my exceptionally long career I am proud to say that I have always lived in amity with my brother artists. To all, I wish success. But the keenness of my regret at leaving the stage is mitigated by the reflection that I may be able to render services in a sphere of activity closely connected with the one I am on the point of leaving. To teach singing, it is necessary first to have learned it; and it will still be in my power to give instruction to others in the art which I have so assiduously practiced.

Miss Mary Tupper is teaching this year at St. Mary's Hall, Texas.

Mr. William S. Battis is again actively engaged as teacher of elocution and public reader, making a specialty of one-author programs.

Pupils of Mrs. Harriet Augusta Prunk, of Indiana, took part in a recital Nov. 16, at which pupils of other prominent teachers appeared.

A testimonial concert for the benefit of Miss Martha Miner, New York soprano who has been ill with typhoid fever, was given at Knabe Hall, Nov. 27.

Miss Ida Root Gordon, Texas, at her opening recital, gave the Threatening Scene from "In the Palace of the King," and a monologue entitled "A Woman's Speech."

Mrs. Jessie Brown-Dorward, whose portrait and sketch appeared in our September issue, was the reader at the opening meeting of the Omaha Woman's Club, Oct. 16.

Mr. Albert Gerard-Thiers is booked to give his illustrated lecture, "The Technique of Musical Expression" during December, in Boston, Brooklyn, Washington, and Williamsport.

Miss Cora C. Tardy, teacher of elocution and physical culture at Hardin College, reports large classes and much interest in elocution and physical culture throughout the Southwest.

Miss Luella Stratton, graduate of the Ida E. Heyl School of Vocal Art, located in Philadelphia, as teacher of elocution and physical culture, reports a more flourishing season than ever before.

Miss Anna D. Cooper writes enthusiastically of the work at Mt. de Sales Academy, Georgia, corroborating the report made in our June number of expressional awakening in all parts of the South.

Mrs. Mary G. Coombs, of Pennsylvania, and pupils gave a recital in November, some of the numbers being, pantomime of Comin' Thro' the Rye," monologue for a woman "The Confessional,' and recitation "The Chariot Race.'

Mrs. Bertie Donnelly, Cincinnati, elocutionist, sends an encouraging report of her work, and says, what many hundreds other teachers say, that she finds WERNER'S MAGAZINE invaluable in her work. Mr. U. S. Allen, reader and impersonator, now touring Western New York, prints on his circulars that his entertainment is one in which "laughter dwells next to the most tender tears."

Fanny Robinson, Texas elocutionist, gave a pu pils' recital Nov. 9, some numbers being "Haunted by a Song,' "Joe and Meg.' "Two Thanksgiving Dances," and Poison," a one-scene farce for four females.

Mme. Besse Belle Jenne Packard, teacher of elocution at Southwest Virginia Institute, was reader in concert Oct. 2, reciting "The Masked Ball,' "The Story of a Life," and "Behind the Curtain."

Miss Flora Belle Carde has resigned from her Rhode Island position to accept one in Nova Scotia, whence she writes: "I should not think of getting along without WERNER'S MAGAZINE. It is such a help in teaching."

The Los Angeles School of Dramatic Art, incorporated Sept., '99, and said to be the only school of the kind on the Pacific Coast, gave a pupils' recital Oct. 26, with an elaborate vocal, instrumental and recitational program.

The copyright selection from Miss Johnston's "To Have and to Hold" which appeared in our October number, was printed by special permission of the publishers, Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., to whom acknowledgment should have been made.

Miss Ethel Mason's Elocution Class, Texas, gave an entertainment Oct. 26, consisting of recitations, an esthetic gymnastic drill, and a humorous play "Wimmin's Rights Meetin"." Miss Mason herself recited The Shadow of a Song," a most effective recitation.

Mrs. Celeste Langley Slausson, of Washington, has, owing to her husband's ill-health, sold her school of elocution, but will continue instruction with several of her old pupils. She has been teaching for fifteen years and has taken WERNER'S MAGAZINE since 1886.

The London branch of the Chaffee-Noble Training School of Expression, Miss Edith Marsh, director, gave a Hallowe'en recital, some of the numbers being A Peep into the Future," Mary Eliza beth,' Neddie's Thanksgiving," Studying Wasps," and a scene from Ingomar the Barba

rian."

66

"

Mr. Alfred Young will give a series of lectures before the Dramatic Circle of the Packer Alumnæ Association, Brooklyn, during the coming winter. The subjects on which he will speak are Impressions of the Season's Plays," "Our Share in the Immortality of Shakespeare," Problems in Criti cism," and " Ethics of Playgoing."

Miss Bessie Brown Ricker, who makes a specialty of child-pieces, finds the following effective: " Our Hired Girl," "Dead Pussy Cat," "Low-Backed Car," "Happy Little Cripple," A Bear Story," "The Doll's Wooing," and " My Ships.'

She gave

a group of readings at the Sons of American Revolution banquet, Chicago, Oct. 9.

Miss Nina D. Cooper, whose work is characterized by artistic and poetic delicacy, gave a recital at Mt. Vernon, Oct. 23, reciting among other things, "Mammy's Li'l Boy," High Tide on Coast of Lincolnshire," and So Was I." She, with her brother, Mr. C. H. Cooper, baritone, are booked for full evening entertainments this season.

Mrs. Elsie M. McCollum, author of "Under the Buggy Seat," "In Grandma's Chest," Aunt Hannah's Letter," and other taking recitations, is an active worker in the Epworth League, at a recent meeting reading a paper on Incidents which Had Great Influence in Shaping Bunyan's Career." She is also contributing verses to Southern periodicals.

Mrs. Dannie M. Aldridge, of Alabama, has been a subscriber to WERNER'S MAGAZINE for fifteen years. At a recent recital her daughter recited "Archie Dean," while other pupils recited" Las"Flying Jim's Last Leap,' and "Reuben Toast's Tricycle." There were also class presentations of Lily Hoffner Wood's "International Flag Drill" and Myra Pollard's pantomime of "The Lotos-Eaters."

ca.

Interesting is the fact that theatrical music is beginning to be used in American churches. At Trinity Church, San Francisco, Oct. 28, in a special musical service, under direction of Mr. H. J. Stewart, the choruses from the incidental music to "Ben-Hur," by Edgar Stillman Kelley, were sung, In another part of this issue are given themes from "Ben-Hur "music, also a series of tableaux that our readers will find useful as tableau studies and as affording directions for presenting "Ben-Hur " tableaux.

Miss Mabel M. Gormley, of N. Y. School of Expression, is giving recitals and teaching reading and physical culture at county institutes in Montana. A specimen program is: Pantomime in the deaf sign-language; Amazon Drill;" recitations, Langley Lane," "The Leper," and "Shandon Bells;' and analysis of Brutus's and Antony's orations, followed by a reading of them. The Montana State school officials recommend "Genevieve Stebbins's System of Physical Training," they being pleased with the work of Miss Gormley as exemplar of the Genevieve Stebbins System.

The Rev. Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus, the famous Chicago pulpit orator, is giving a series of lectures at Columbia School of Oratory on "The Higher Ministry of English Poetry of the Nineteenth Century." The Columbia Entertainers, consisting of four women and one man, all graduates of the school, are meeting with success in their repertoire Short Stories and Songs," "Farce and Comedy,' ," "Two Hours of American Humor," Sacred Readings and Songs," "An Evening of Dialect," "An Evening with Field and Riley,' A Kipling Recital," Shakespearian Scenes and Songs in Costume," and Readings from the Scriptures."

66

The first performance of the 17th year of the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts took place Nov. 8, at the Empire Theater, New York, when "The Tory's Guest," by Victor Mapes, was enacted for the first time on any stage. The play dealt with revolutionary times, Washington being one of the chief characters. On Dec. 11 will be presented "A Maid of Leyden," a romantic drama, by Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland and Percy Wallace Mackaye.

Mr. James Young, who appeared before the National Association of Elocutionists at the second New York Convention in a scene from "Hamlet," and who will be in Henry Irving's Company during its American engagement this season, sets forth his views on the romantic plays of to-day in a recent number of the Baltimore Herald, receiving in that paper a full page-group of costume portraits, printed in colors.

Mr. Lemuel B. C. Josephs, equally at home with the artist's brush as he is when portraying emotions through voice and action, has been reengaged for his old part in "Human Hearts." now booked for the Western coast. As stage director he promises Alfred Ayres that he will be on the lookout for "dislocated emphases and in readiness to perform a surgeon's duties.' The Winnipeg Bulletin declares that "Jimmy Logan, the half-witted boy, is an original character splendidly done by Mr. Josephs."

The Yersin Sisters claim to have discovered that the French language is composed of fifteen sounds, which, when thoroughly learned, enable any foreigner, American, Englishman, or German, to pronounce the French language perfectly. Mr. John F. Loase, a New Yorker, likewise claims to have discovered that there are fifty-four sounds in the English language perceived by the ear when uttered by the voice. His treatise, still in manuscript, is the result of many years' labor and is worth study by all interested in the English lan guage.

An interesting series of lectures followed by an informal social hour is held Saturdays, 11 A. M., during the winter at the School of Singing of which Miss Lillie D'Angelo Bergh is Director, the Albany,' cor. 52d St. and Broadway, New York. Among the lecturers are Prof. Wisner, Miss Mary S. Thompson, Mrs. Robert Goodwin, Dr. Frank Miller, Dr. Louise Fiske Bryson, Mrs. Donald McLean, Col. William de Hepburn Washington, the Rev. J. Nevitt Steele, Charles A. Barnard, Miss Lillie D'Angelo Bergh, and others. Three of the lectures are in French, given by Professor Wisner, on "L'Aiglon," Acteurs et Actrices Celebres," "Les Romans De Chopin," Quext Ce Que La Diction Française."

"

Miss Schuster's School of Elocution and Dramatic Action reports that Miss Adeline Non Rees, class of 'oo, is teacher of elocution and Delsarte System at Lexington Conservatory of Music; Miss Cora L. Jones, class of '98, is concertizing in Ala bama; Miss Helen E. Reaume, class of '98, and now of faculty of Miss Schuster's School, is also connected with Pike Stock Co., of Cincinnati, and is playing in "Romeo and Juliet,' "The District Attorney and Camille;" the Students' Dramatic Club of Miss Schuster's School opened its dramatic season at Longview Asylum, Nov. 7, with the threeact comedy, The Golden Butterfly; on every third Saturday takes place a studio recital in Pike Building, Cincinnati, the programs crediting Werner's Readings and Recitations with many of the selections recited.

66

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Stillman Kelley, reengaged for the third season in the University Extension Lecture Course, opened this year's course at Albany, Nov. 12, receiving the following notice in the Albany Argus: "A large, cultivated, and highly appreciative audience assembled in the chapel of the High School to attend the illustrated lecture on music by Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Stillman Kelley, who for nearly two hours entertained the audience on the subject of Richard Wagner: His Works and Theories.' There has been no lecture delivered in Albany for many months that was so entertaining and instructive to those who understand and appreciate music in its highest sphere. Mr. Kelley is a scholar of unusual ability, and his handling of the subject was masterful. Mrs. Kelley has a charming mezzo-soprano voice, and in her interpretation of some of the passages of Wagnerian opera, delighted the audience."

Mr. Leland T. Powers read Friday afternoon, Nov. 16, and Saturday evening, Nov. 17, "David Copperfield" at Brooklyn Institute, the characters impersonated being Fisherman Peggotty, Ham, his nephew, David Copperfield, Steerforth, Uriah Heep, Mr. Micawber, Lawyer Wickfield, Agnes Wickfield, Little Emly, Betsy Trotwood, Mrs. Micawber, Martha Endell.

Mr. Powers divides the reading into four acts as follows:

being to read the poems under their topical headings without discussing biography or other subjects found in books. Her idea is to interpret the thought by means of direct vocal utterance of the text, calling attention to such artistic effects and means of the author as shall more clearly establish his aim and thought. Her success is marked among educated and cultured people, who hitherto have held aloof from "readers." The exhaustive character of her Browning studies is indicated by the following divisions of her subject: The Nature and Art of Poetry-the Demands of Modern Poetry, Metrical Elements, Rhythm, Rhyme, etc., with illustrations; Poems of Adventure and Heroism the Evolution of Service; Folk Poems-How the Story is Told; Phases of Romantic Love-Love a Factor in the Development of Character; A Group of Love Lyrics-the Story and the Mood; Portraits of Husbands and Wives-the Situation and the Characters; Art and the Artist-the Subject Matter and its Manner of Presentation; Music and the Musician-the Material and its Modeling; Poetry and the Poet-The Poet-Nature; the Poet's Relation to the World; The Evolution of Religion -the Subject Matter and Its Characterization; Autobiographical Poems-Glimpses of Browning Himself.

66

Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland has issued an attractive volume of nine one-act plays, many of them having undergone test of dramatic quality in stage-presentation by well-known players. The plots are original and interesting, and, as in The Barricade," and "Rhoan the Silent," strongly dramatic. "In Far Bohemia " tells a quaint love-story of modern life and artist folk. A Comedie Royal," in stately Elizabethan English, unfolds a dainty story of love at court wherein England's Virgin Queen figures humanly. "The End of the Way" tells a pretty story of the time of Robin Hood. A Bit of Instruction " is modern comedy, a young actor and a Harvard student telling the story. A Song in the Castle" is laid in Ireland in the eighteenth century, and is a pretty story of Irish love and gallantry. Το "Rhoan the Silent" belongs the distinction as the last character created by Alexander Salvini before his death. "Po' White Trash," from which the book derives its name, is a study of life among the crackers of Georgia, and has been played many times.

A New Musical Recitation

The Soul of the Violin

Poem by Margaret Manton Merrill

Musical Background by A. J. Goodrich

One of the greatest recitations-one that has won many prizes.

PRICE $1.00

Edgar S. Werner Publishing & Supply Co.

(Incorporated)

43 East 19th Street, New York.

TO WHOM SEND FOR Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Lent, Easter, and Commencement Material.

We have the largest and finest collection of material for all readers and for all occasions. Send for our full special lists. Tell us what you want and we will supply your needs.