talk. The proposition should include the marshalling of facts, the evidence, and the illustrations, by means of which you support or prove the truth and value of your statements. All these essentials you should express carefully, clearly, concisely, and completely.

After you have clearly and definitely stated your proposition, you should proceed to prove your case by using such facts and arguments as are suitable to and sufficient for your purpose. You should never give utterance to any statement which you are not prepared to prove, if need be

As the proposition covers the main part of your speech, it should occupy more time in its delivery than either of the other parts. Appreciating, then, the importance of this division of your speech, resolve that you will most carefully prepare it.

In the conclusion you should sum up the whole matter— the proofs and arguments for and against a certain mode of action. In fact, the points which you have brought out and proved in the proposition should be driven home with all the oratorical powers you possess. As the conclusion should generally take the form of an appeal, it demands the personal note. In your conclusion, therefore, you should employ all the emotional qualities of which you are capable. In this way you will be successful in making your final remarks leave a good and lasting impression on your hearers.

I would point out here that the frame-work of your speech need occupy, at most, only a sheet of writing paper And, if your speech is a short one, it will occupy considerably less space.

In the less important kinds of speech-making-for example, proposing a resolution or moving a vote of thanks-fix upon one leading idea, and deviate from it as little as possible Stick to your point, and express it as clearly, exactly, and briefly as you can. Do not attempt to render the speech of a previous speaker of no effectyou will do him an injury and you will do yourself no good Perform the work which is allotted you in a simple, un

assuming, and gentlemanly manner. So will you win the admiration of both your hearers and others who might have been called upon to make a short speech.

If you would deliver an effective after-dinner speech, you should possess much skill and a ready command of language. It should be humorous and sparkling with wit, yet graceful. It rarely need be intellectual, but it should by no means be commonplace-you see, your hearers are not in a condition for strenuous mental exertion, nor do they wish to be roused into very hearty laughter; they just want to be tickled, if I may put it so.

You will find the advice contained in the following passage of much value, if you would wish to prepare your speeches quickly and with comparatively little trouble :

The trouble of many would-be speakers consists in a lack of sufficient thought. For this deficiency there is but one practical remedy You must read, think, study, for the purpose of accumulating facts, acquiring opinions, furnishing the mind with thought It is not enough to have ideas; these must be woven into some actual fabric by real thinking In the next place, you must practise thinking in terms of words Do not be content with mere notions about things. Think matters out verbally. Think out a subject in words; make this a rigid rule: think in words. Plough up every inch of ground by the actual mental use of words to express your thoughts. By patient study and constant practice acquire confidence in your abilities; and cultivate that mental discipline and control which will enable you to think deliberately before an audience. A man with thoughts worth expressing is too often silent through lack of confidence in himself; whilst a coxcomb is scarcely ever off his feet-since "Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread."

EXERCISES.

1. Write out a short and original speech-of two or three hundred words, say-in which you make rather free use of simile and metaphor

Take especial care that your similes and metaphors are well chosen and that your metaphors are not mixed or confused.

2. Write "speaking notes " on two subjects. You may select what subjects you like, but I would suggest you choose those in which you are interested.

Make just sufficient notes to aid your memory, and to ensure sequence in statement when speaking.

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3. 'The style is the man." (Buffon.) Critically examine this statement.

4. What advantages has concrete language over abstract language?

5. How would you prepare a speech on

(1) Free Trade, or
(2) Socialism.

CHAPTER V

Gesture: positions of (a) the lower parts of the body

(b) the upper parts of the body.

The head and face. Attitude.

The value of moderate gesture. The weakness of too much gesture and of gesture overdone. Dramatic Instinct. Exercises on the chapter.

The mind expresses itself through words, and all words are symbols. It is very important, then, that the voice should be under the control of the speaker. The body, too, sometimes expresses the thought; and in gesture as well as in voice inflection the public speaker must exercise full control. The face, arms, hands and fingers, and legs all help to express more clearly and fully the moods of the mind. Indeed, in public speaking actions frequently speak louder than words. Learn, therefore, how to master your moods, and you will not be long before you will be able to employ gesture with marked effect. Gesture may be termed the science of signs; and it is one of the most effective means of conveying thought and ideas to your hearers.

To place the finger on the lips is more expressive than to say "Don't speak." To attract the attention of a hearer by a movement of the forefinger uplifted is more effective and becoming than a shout. In gesture you will not go far wrong if you obey your natural impulses,.

Remember that, generally speaking, the less gesture the better. Too much gesture, or gesture overdone, is worse than no gesture at all. Let your gestures, then, be rare, and under the control of your will. Standing still is not infrequently a sign of mental balance; and you should not

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resort to too much gesture in order to secure the attention of your audience. Too much gesture is like too many words-both of them defeat their own purpose.

The greatest orators and public speakers have always made free use of gesture, and by graceful action have added force to their utterances. Just as words appeal to the sense of hearing, so gesture appeals to the sense of sight. When the two are judiciously employed they cannot fail to have the desired effect upon an audience.

Do not imagine that gesture is mere bodily movementit is far more than that. It is the manifestation of the soul of the speaker. By well-appointed gesture, you can express those qualities of soul which fall outside the sphere of words. Cultivate the habit of employing moderate gesture; you will then possess a weapon which will be of inestimable value to you in your fight for success Quintilian says: A speaker without action is like a bird with only one wing.' It seems to be clear that Quintilian considers one wing to be words, and the other to be gesture. You will find it an excellent help to note the beautiful positions, the grace of form and of facial expression, of well-known public speakers and orators. Seize every opportunity of hearing good speakers, and observe their gestures; adopt those forms which you consider good, but reject the bad.

"

Although you may imagine that the proper employment of gesture is difficult-and it certainly is to those who speak without soul or sincerity-yet if you feel what you say, and acquire and apply a few of the correct positions of hands and other parts of the body, graceful gesture will follow naturally.

I would impress on you the fact that all forms of gesture depend upon the promptings of the soul and the co-operation of the mind. They should, moreover, answer the inflections of the voice, and should forcibly appeal both to the senses and to the intellect of your hearers. You will find gesture of especial value when you desire to emphasise a point.

Before going very deeply into the subject of "Gesture,"