such importance that we cannot enter upon it here. Suffice it to say that very useful hints may often be learned by having the throat examined by the laryngoscope, either when there is a difficulty in forming certain sounds, or where the voice becomes "cracked," or "broken." These latter conditions depend generally on some local debility in the throat, which can be treated and amended. No singer who values her powers should sing in the open air, or too long at a time, or on a higher key than is easy for her, or at a period when her general health is at all below par. We know an instance where a single infraction of these rules has ruined completely and irremediably an excellent soprano.
Often a course of natural sulphur waters, at one of the "Sulphur Springs" in Virginia or elsewhere, is of signal service in restoring and improving the failing powers of the voice. When shallowness of the purse, or other reason, prevents one from taking this agreeable prescription, an artificial sulphur water can be prepared and used at home with good, but not so good effects.
We can go through the world comfortably without singing; but we cannot get along at all pleasantly without the power of distinct speech. It is, therefore, a most important branch of cosmetic surgery to remedy defects in the articulation and the pronunciation of letters, syllables, and words, such as lisping,
