PREFACE. THE object of the following pages, is to supply those engaged in the education of youth with a practical means of impressing on their pupils some of the most important principles of English pronunciation. Experience has convinced the writer that the efforts of a teacher, however judiciously or assiduously applied, are insufficient without the aid of a systematical text-book, to correct those vices of pronunciation into which young persons so commonly fall, much more frequently from habits of inattention and carelessness, than from inaptitude of the organs of speech. But whatever may be the source of the evil, the remedy to be applied must be the same. "These, and other similar faults," says Dr. Blair, speaking of the various instances of defective articulation, " may be cor |