The Lawrence speaker. A selection of literary gems in poetry and prose ...

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Preface

The importance of the study of Elocution is now acknowledged by all persons of taste and refinement.

Why is the study of Elocution of such importance? Because, Eloquence is Divine !

By this noble Art, Nations have been made free ; Christianity has been extended over the greater part of the Earth ; Cities and Countries have become renowned from being the birthplace of the ''Children of Genius," whose names are household words in the land of their birth.

Any eloquent youth may aspire to, and will be almost sure to obtain Renown and Fortune ; he may rise from the lowest step to the loftiest pinnacle of Fame : Henry Clay and Daniel "Webster are names that will live as long as the English Language is spoken. #

Whose Orations (one on Mars Hill to the Philosophers, Stoics, and Epicureans of Athens, the other before King Agrippa) are considered to be models of Eloquence ? I answer, those of Paul, the educated Apostle.

When Greece and Rome were in their glory, eloquence was studied and cultivated by all who aspired to honor and distinction.

In the golden days of Greece, Pericles not only adorned

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Athens with Paintings, Statuary, and magnificent Public Buildings, but he also glorified it by his sublime eloquence.

Did not Cicero save Rome by his orations against Catiline ? What roused the noblest emotions in the breasts of our forefathers, and caused them to dare all and do all for their Country's freedom V The burning words of Patrick Henry.

In order to make the study of this sublime Art a labor of love, I wish to impress upon the minds of all desirous to learn, that there are but four Rules needing especial study ; — these are : Articulation, Modulation, Emphasis, and Delivery, the golden and infallible Rules on which all others depend.

RULE FIRST.

ARTICULATION.

Articulation is the art of pronouncing not only every word, but also every syllable, and letter, clearly and distinctly.

Example.

Say Gov'ern-ment, not Guv-ment ; say Is'ra-el, not Is-rale; say Ar-tic-u-la'tion, not Ar-tic-la-shun, etc.

RULE SECOND.

MODULATION.

Modulation is the art of explaining by the tones of the voice the meaning of the Speaker or Reader.

All persons ought to be aware how important it is to attend to modulation.

The chief beauty of oratory is in the melody of the speaker's utterance.

Every feeling and emotion of the human heart can be

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expressed by the tones of the voice ; and as, by appropriate gesture, everything we say can be made plain to the understanding through the sight, so also, by giving every word its proper sound, can it be made perfectly intelligible to the ear. But remember ! as this can be done only by a finished reader or orator, the living teacher alone can instruct in Modulation.

The study of Poe's wonderful poem, "The Bells," is recommended to all wishing to excel in this delightful art.

RULE THIRD.

EMPHASIS.

The best rule for emphasizing correctly is to study the true meaning of the Author ; and by speaking the word meant to be emphatic in a louder tone of voice, or allowing the voice to dwell upon that particular word longer than the others, convey the real meaning to your hearers.

Example.

I know not what course Others may take, but as for Me, give me LIBEETY, or give me DEATH.

RULE FOURTH.

DELIVERY.

The most celebrated Orator of the Ancients (Demosthenes) called delivery not only the chief part of oratory, but oratory itself ; because, unless master of it, no man can be a perfect speaker.

The eloquent writer, Orville Dewey, says : " When all the powers of Elocution are put in requisition, the voice with all its thrilling tones ; the eye through which, as a

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window, the soul darts forth its light ; the lips on which grace is poured ; the whole glowing countenance, the whole breathing frame ; when every motion speaks, every muscle swells with the inspiration of high thoughts, what instrument of music, what glories of the canvass can equal it ? It is sublimity, beauty, genius, power, in their most glorious exercise."

After reading those eloquent and noble words, who can doubt the power of Oratory ?

I say to every Minister of the Gospel, every Lawyer, every Statesman, and every Teacher, diligently study this sublime Art, and become useful members and ornaments of Society.

" Speech is a glorious gift — the electric chain Through which the lightning of intelligence Transmits its flashes, when the kindling brain Would make its visions palpable to sense."

A PEW PEACTICAL HINTS ON ELOCUTION.

It may be asked, what plan I would recommend to those wishing to become good readers and eloquent speakers ? I reply: In the first place, make yourself master of the subject you intend to read or recite ; be certain you fully understand the author's meaning. In the second place, read or speak in the most natural manner, because the nearer we are to nature, the nearer we are to perfection ; endeavor to individualize yourself with what you are saying, for instance, when reciting the speech of Catiline, remember the character of the man, proud, unscrupulous, brave, ambitious, cruel, etc. ; and by your manner, as well as the tones of the voice, bring Catiline before the audience. Again, when Shakspeare describes Mark Antony delivering that celebrated oration — the most wonderful ever delivered by man, combining the deepest pathos, the most consum-

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mate art, the force, the fire, the grandeur, the polish of oratory, how can any one expect to recite it, as it should be recited, unless he fully appreciates and understands what he is saying ? He must bear in mind that Antony stood in the Eostrum in danger of his life if he said one word against Brutus ; that he was compelled to be careful of every word he uttered, lest he should be stoned to death where he stood.

How should he utter the oft repeated words, "But Brutus is an honorable man ! " In the first instance it should be spoken as if he really meant what he said ; in the second, almost the same, but with the slightest shade of doubt in his manner ; in the third, it should be spoken as though he asked the people — If Brutus was an honorable man ? and in the fourth, with the keenest irony ; because he had gradually convinced the fickle populace that Brutus was not an honorable man.

So in every case, you must individualize yourself if you wish to succeed as a Reader, Speaker, Lecturer or Teacher. In the third place, remember that every important word has a particular sound that expresses the meaning, for instance, in Poe's Raven, where he says :

" Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."

I should read it in this manner : "Deep into that darkness peering," in a full toned voice ; on the word " long," I should let the voice dwell for a short time, say about double the time that is usually taken in pronouncing the word, thus long, 1-o-n-g ; on the word "wondering," I should raise the voice, and prolong the sound to express the wonder felt ; on the word "fearing," I should let the voice fall, and if reciting it I should shrink back as if in fear ; on the word "doubting," I should let the voice have an uncer-

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tain sound, between a question and an affirmation ; the words " dreaming dreams," I should pronounce in a dreamy tone, as if just awakened from sleep ; then the word " dared " I should pronounce with emphasis.

I have thus endeavored, in plain, simple, unadorned language to explain my meaning ; and I hope and believe that all desirous to learn, will find these few practical hints of real service in their intellectual and commendable endeavor to improve themselves.

" Work ! for some good, be it ever so slowly; Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly; Labor I all labor is noble and holy."

Philip Lawrence.