J. H. Rice — Collectanea Orator; or, the Academic Orator

London, Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1808. First edition. Leather. A very scarce first edition of Rice"s practical anthology of public oratory, adapting Ward"s influential rhetorical theory into a comprehensive guide for students and speakers. In a later half calf binding with cloth boards, bound by W. B. Jones & Co. Liverpool, endpapers renewed. First edition.  A very scarce rhetorical anthology, intended as a practical guide to public speaking. The work gathers a wide range of oratorical selections, described as "appertaining to every class of public orations," and is prefaced by a dissertation on oratorical pronunciation and action, largely abstracted from Professor Ward"s System of Oratory. Designed for students and speakers, the volume also provides instruction as to the delivery, pronunciation, and the physical performance of speech. John Ward"s System of Oratory was one of the major early nglish treatments of rhetorical theory and delivery. Rice"s compilation adapts that tradition into a practical anthology of model speeches. A useful anthology of public oratory, preserving contemporary approaches to rhetoric.  In a later half calf binding with cloth boards, bound by W. B. Jones & Co. Liverpool, endpapers renewed. Externally, smart. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities, resulting in minor loss to calf. One or two damp staining marks to boards. Binder's discreet stamp to recto of renewed first blank. Internally, firmly bound. Pages characteristically age toned. Scattered spotting heavier to first and last few leaves. Contemporary ownership inscription from one John Cooper to the title page. Small closed tear to gutter of title page. One or two ink annotations to margins, not affecting the text. Previous owner's contemporary inscription to verso of final leaf, dated 1820, bleeding through to recto. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .