Buchanan, James (fl. 1753-1773)

The British Grammar

London

Printed for A. Millar

1762

"For a perfect Knowledge in these, and a proper Attention to Emphasis, will not only lead to, but, at last, actually produce what includes them all, such a masterly Elocution, as can hold the Passions captive, and surprize the Soul itself in its inmost Recesses."

After all, without a due regard to Accent (in which the very Life of Language consists) Speech becomes harsh, disagreeable, and often unintelligible. And therefore the greatest Care ought to be discharged in making Youth not only early acquainted with the Nature and Beauty of proper Accent, but also, that they be put to Account for the due Pronunciation of every Sound, with its just Quantity; and be thereby enabled to pronounce by Rule, and not at mere Random; which will readily prevent their either imitating, or bing misled by the rude and unpolished Utterance of the Vulgar. And though this Method (as not being universally practised in our Schools) may not at first View command Attention it justly merits, yet we may rest assured of its advantageous Consequence from Experience, as well as from the Study and Practice of the greatest Orator: For a perfect Knowledge in these, and a proper Attention to Emphasis, will not only lead to, but, at last, actually produce what includes them all, such a masterly Elocution, as can hold the Passions captive, and surprize the Soul itself in its inmost Recesses.
(p. 65)

Fetters::Captivity Architecture::Recesses

Reading Murray Cohen's Sensible Words (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1977), 107.

At least 4 entries in ESTC (1762, 1768, 1779, 1784).

The British Grammar: or, an Essay, in Four Parts, Towards Speaking and Writing the English Language Grammatically, and Inditing Elegantly. For the Use of the Schools of Great Britain and Ireland, and of Private Young Gentlemen and Ladies. (London: Printed for A. Millar in the Strand, 1762). <Link to ESTC>

07/09/2014