The Colombian Orator by Caleb Bingham, A. M - 1838: A variety of Selected Pieces together with rules

This unique piece is dated 1838 and is a rare Stereotype Edition. HC and a variety of Publishers contributed to this book. Original covers with much wear, writing in pencil inside front and back boards. Pgs. are foxed and edges stained slightly with minor chipping else, no markings inside book with 300 pgs.

A prefatory comment states that the selections were 'calculated particularly for Dialogue and Declamation.' The first 23 pages deal with 'General Instructions for Speaking'. And the reading selections were preceded by the following statement: 'Practical Pieces for Speaking; consisting of orations, addresses, exhortations from the pulpit, pleadings at the bar, sublime descriptions, debates, declamations, grave and humorous dialogues, poetry, etc.'" (Nietz, Old Text Books, p. 62). Bingham also compiled the popular American Preceptor (of which this is something of a sequel) as well as The Young Ladies Accidence. He "was Webster's strongest competitor in both grammar and reader sales until the coming of Lyman Cobb" (Carpenter, American Schoolbooks, p. 61). Bingham also aided in the founding of the Boston Public Library. Evans