A Discourse Being Introductory to his Course of Lectures on Elocution and the English Language (1759)

Delivered as a public address at Oxford, Cambridge, and London’s Spring‑Garden, this discourse offers a vivid snapshot of an eighteenth‑century mission to shape spoken English. Thomas Sheridan, a seasoned actor and teacher, explains why tone, gesture, and precise pronunciation matter for clear communication. He frames his ideas within the broader elocutionary movement that once dominated English rhetoric, giving listeners a sense of its intellectual vigor.

Drawing on his own stage experience and the scholarly influence of his father and godfather, he lays out the basic principles of elocution—breath control, diction, rhythm, and appropriate gesture. Sheridan argues that mastering these skills is a civic duty, proposing a reform of education that would revive the art of speaking as central to public life. The lecture’s earnest tone and clear examples make it a valuable window into the cultural aspirations of its time.