Page:The works of Anna Laetitia Barbauld volume 1.djvu/39

 minous and attractive views of the connexion of this branch of knowledge with the revolutions of empires, with national manners, and with the natural history of animals, that these impressive lectures were always remembered by her auditors less among their tasks than their pleasures.

A public examination of the boys was always held at the close of the winter session: at the termination of the summer one they performed a play; and upon Mrs. Barbauld principally devolved, together with the contrivance of dresses and decorations, and the composition of prologues, epilogues, and interludes the instruction of the young exhibitors in the art of declamation. In this branch she like wise excelled; and the neglected though delightful arts of good reading and graceful speaking were nowhere taught with more assiduity and success.