Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Mr. SNOWDEN,

I attended one of Mr. Turner's Lectures on Elocution, at the City Hotel, New-York.

That the efforts of this gentleman, merits, in a very high degree, public patronage, was allowed, I believe, by all who were present on that occasion. Those who adopt the mode which Mr. Turner has chosen to introduce their claims on the notice of society, labour under serious disadvantages, not only from the nature of the plan, but from the many ignorant pretenders that tread in the same path.

These are difficulties which not even sterling talent at all times can overcome. A sincere desire to see justice done to the deserving, prompts me to address you, and to endeavor to impress on your readers, if not the obligation created, at least the interest which ought to be excited by the laudable efforts of genius.

The limits of this communication do not permit me to enter on an examination of the principles of Mr. T.'s Lectures, or the justice of his criticisms on modern philologists and rhetoricians. But that he perfectly understands his subject, all who hear him acknowledge; and the effect produced by the practical illustration, is the fairest criterion of the theory. His recitations are marked by a sympathy and feeling which is given but to a few. His delivery of M. Anthony's oration, which requires all the variety of power a speaker can possess, was given with great felicity of emphasis and pause, and was received with loud applause by a select and intelligent audience. In reciting Campbell's inimitable Hohenlinden, he modulations of a voice of remarkable compass and capacity of variation, gave the words a power correspondent to the ideas. It is sincerely to be hoped that generous encouragement will be given to him during his stay in town.

Yours respectfully,

CIVEX.