Page 20 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

tively weak can press its tones fonv;ird and prolong them, thoreby doing very
effective 'work. Do not spoil your leading by shouting or ranting.
Do not mouth your words, nor j'.[inhit; them together. You should enunciate
distinctly, for the reason that you arc trying to say something and wish your
audience to understand what it is.

Expression.—The body, with voice, eyes, hands, arms, head, in short, with
oil its members tlisit wtjrtj made 10 talk, should express the exact thought and
sentiment of the reading. How can'his; be done imlcs-s yon tn:T.ke i.be selection
your own? It is your high work -.0 bring the thought ft ml sentiment home. to the
minds ami hearts of others, The selection is yours for the time being, apart o(
yourself, and you are coniimimcstii'jg it- The eccentric, celebrated Dr. Kuimous,
was once asked by a student to give him dome rules for public speaking. The
Doctor gave him two: jst:~-Havc something to say; 2nd—titty it. You are
supposed to have something to express, and you are to summon all your powersand
energies of mind and body to give effect to the expression.
Make gestures only where they are required. A few, well placed and suited to
the thought, ara better than many given at random. Let the hand take any shape
that is appropriate the open palm—tbe pointing linger—the clenched fist—unci do
it ail in aut easy, natural way. Tn gesture!; requiring only one hand, make v.se of
the right. Ordinarily the hand should bu lifted from the side with a slight eurvc
of motion, J >0 not let one gesture contradict another ; all should be in harmony.
Remember that your arms are antix, not sticks. The angular, ungainly ‘1 j rust
is a common fault. Let your arms he supple, easily bent. Do not use merely
a part of the arm, as :f your elbow hud .suddenly become your shoulder. Let the
gesture test on the emphatic word, ft should not follow, but rather precede, the
sentiment it is intended to aid in expressing.
Human emotions write themselves upon the face. The eyes and 0tiler features
should express joy, sorrow, wonderment, fear, merriment, hope, despair, finger,
etc., according as these are conveyed in language. Here, especially, the proficient
reader shows Ini consummate tut, and here is large opportunity for painstaking
study.
Stand, as a rule, with one foot slightly i:i advance of the other, resting the
weight of the body on tha one further back,
ANji Pausj’S.—There is a world of meaning sometimes in fi. word
emphasised. Where the thought is intended to be emphatic there should be nn
emphatic expression of it. Emphasis is the life of antithesis.
X lie sen til neut of nearly every recital requires pauses ; silenecrs often the most
eloquent speech. Do not make the psuac too lengthy, else n J road fid solemnity
and dullness will result.
Take note that the cuts in P a r i / are intended to ikovj only typical gestures.
It would be impossible in this Volume to represent ill I the gestures required in
reading.