The New Speaker and Declaimer: Containing Prose Poetry and Dialogues for Schools and Exhibitions

"The New Speaker and Declaimer; Containing Prose Poetry and Dialogues for Schools and Exhibitions" compiled by A. Pitts. 1858 1st edition; Higgins, Bradley and Dayton; Boston. The book contains dozens of "specimens" of "American Eloquence" prose works by numerous eminent figures (such as Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Joseph Warren, Horace Greely, Jefferson Davis, James Otis, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay...and many more). Topics include The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, Early Days of the Revolution, Early Deeds of Our Fathers, The First Battle-ground of the Revolution, Aspirations for America, The Battle of Bunker Hill, The Boston Massacre, The Patriot's Hope, The Fate of the Indians, The Spirit of Liberty, Deaths of Jefferson and Adams, American Independence, In Memory of Washington, New England and Virginia, Supposed Speech of John Adams, The Puritan...and much more - please see the photos for the complete list of contents.

Condition:
Both covers have some small areas where the cloth has eroded; cloth tears at the corners, and at the top and bottom edges of the spine. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Writing in pencil and a small illustration on the front end paper dated 1860; there is also an old name written in pencil on the following end paper. Consistent foxing/staining to the pages (heavier on some pages, namely 94/95, 142/143 and 286/287).