The Peerless Reciter; or, Popular Program Containing the Choicest Recitations and Readings from the Best Authors for Schools, Public Entertainments, Social Gatherings, Sunday Schools, Etc., Including Recitals in Prose and Verse Selections with Musical Accompaniments, Dialogues, Dramas, Tableaux, Etc., Etc. Together with Rules and Instructions for Gesture, Expression, and Cultivation of the Voice. Embellished with Superb Phototype Engravings and Line Drawings.

Original publisher's blue cloth binding. Gilt lettering and illustrations on front cover and spine. All edges marbled. 6 1/2" x 8 1/4." 516 pages, complete. Plates in black-and-white and color and in-text illustrations, complete. Pages are very clean and intact except for light age toning and occasional crease, wrinkle, or small mark. Covers are very clean and intact except for slight wear to extremities, slight fading to gilt lettering, and light to moderate darkening to spine, front, and back (most noticeable along spine). A Near Fine copy. An instructive manual from the late nineteenth century about the art of oratory for different occasions. This is a compendium containing advice for oral presentation and many examples of poetry and prose to practice one's craft of oration. The following are brief summaries for each of the book's eight parts with some of the descriptions containing quotes from the Preface. Part I: "The Mind Speaking Through the Body"; about voice training, vocal volume, use of pauses, proper posture, and facial expressions and gestures to convey specific meanings and emotions. Part II: "Readings with Lesson Talks"; example readings with suggestions as to how they may be best presented. Part III: "Readings with Musical Accompaniments": example recitations in the form of song lyrics or verses set to instrumental music. Part IV: "Descriptive and Dramatic Readings": "a vast collection of gems in Prose and Poetry, all chosen from the very best authors." Part V: "Grave and Pathetic Readings": "a rare collection of recitals that touch the heart and arouse its deepest emotions. The great masters of pathos are here fully represented ." Part VI: "Humorous Readings": "fascinating selections of satire, wit and humor which are absolutely indispensable to all public entertainments." Part VII: "Readings for Juveniles": "a charming collection of sprightly and beautiful recitations for the little folks ." Part VIII: "Dialogues and Tableaux": "furnishes a wide and varied collection of pieces containing several parts for as many reciters" [also contains instructions and examples for how to carry out meetings and lyceums and establishing constitutions and by-laws for organizations].…