THE STANDARD

ELOCUTIONIST;

AND

GEM-BOOK OF BRITISH AUTHORS:

CONTAINING

A Selection of Pieres adapted for Public Recitation,

OR PRIVATE READING,

FROM

SHAKSPEARE, MILTON, YOUNG, ADDISON, HOOD, 'CAMPBELL,
POPE, BURNS, SCOTT, BYRON, SOUTHEY, GRAY, &c. &c.

Edited by A. Cunninghaw. CABO

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY W. KENT & CO.,

51, & 52, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1850.

Logan, the Mingo Chief.-Jefferson 160 | Roland Græme.—Cunningham

THE STANDARD ELOCUTIONIST.

SCENE FROM "THE RIVALS."

Sheridan.

Enter SIR LUCIUS O'TRIGGER and ACRES, with pistols. Acres. By my valour; then, Sir Lucius, forty yards is a good distance. Odds levels and aims !—I say it is a good distance.

Sir Lucius. Is it for muskets or small field pieces? Upon my conscience, Mr. Acres, you must leave those things to me.-Stay now -I'll show you.—[Measures paces along the stage.] There now, that is a very pretty distance-a pretty gentleman's distance.

Acres. Zounds! we might as well fight in a sentry-box! I tell you, Sir Lucius, the farther he is off, the cooler I shall take my aim. Sir Lucius. Faith! then I suppose you would aim at him best of all if he was out of sight!

Acres. No, Sir Lucius; but I should think forty, or eight-andthirty yards

Sir Lucius. Pho! pho! nonsense! three or four feet between the mouths of your pistols is as good as a mile.

Acres. Odds bullets, no!-by my valour! there is no merit in killing him so near: do, my dear Sir Lucius, let me bring him down at a long shot:-a long shot, Sir Lucius, if you love me!

Sir Lucius. Well, the gentleman's friend and I must settle that.— But tell me now, Mr. Acres, in case of an accident, is there any little will or commission I could execute for you ?

Acres. I am much obliged to you, Sir Lucius-but I don't understand

Sir Lucius. Why, you may think there's no being shot at without a little risk-and if an unlucky bullet should carry a quietus with itI say it will be no time then to be bothering you about family matters. Acres. A quietus!

B