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Show ELOCUTION. On the closing day fo the Normal Institute, which was Friday last, each teacher was required to read an essay upon the subject he or she had treated upon during the session. The following is the essay by the teacher who conducted the class exercises in elocution:<br><br> Elocution is the natural expression of thought, feeling, and passion by means of speech and gesture. It was cultivated by the ancients to a very high degree, and is, therefore, a very old study. Ceasar [Caesar], Cicero, Demosthenes and many other great men spent many years in acquiring a knowledge of this art. If we carefully examine the history of the great men of antiquity we will find that nearly all of them, who became truly eminent, were eloquent public speakers. But little attention was paid to the cultivation of the voice, as a distinct branch of elocution for many centuries. It may, therefore, be termed a modern science.<br><br> No great reformer of modern times has been able to neglect this most important of all branches of culture. It always insures to its possessor a powerful influence in the affairs of men; it is needed in every reform, and is a potent means by which the minds of a community can be moved in a new direction. If three-fourths of the time usually spent in our district schools in the study of the higher mathematics was devoted to elocution and its kindred branches (grammar, rhetoric, and logic) the world would be wiser and better. Its importance cannot be over estimated, as it is essential to the proper development of the physical organization. It calls into action most of the principal organs of the body, gives grace and strength to them and stimulates the circulation so that digestion and the entire system are benefited [benefitted]. It is in social life that the majority of men exert the most powerful influence on their fellow men. This influence is exerted through word and deed. Word and deed receive their character through voice and manner. If the expression be coarse and abrupt the inner life will be exposed; but if the voice and manner be agreeable and attractive a corresponding verdict will be rendered. We have our business friends and our educational friends, but the dearest friends we have on earth are our social friends, and they should receive from us the best we have. We should, therefore, earnestly endeavor to cultivate the voice and improve the manner so that we may make them happy and ourselves useful. And it should be remembered, that the same power which gives us influence in the social circle will attract interest in our business relations.<br><br> Now if the cultivation of the voice be of such importance and benefit, the question very naturally arises-By what method can we the most easily acquire this desirable accomplishment.<br><br> A great number of good works on this subject have already been published and widely circulated through the land. But the study of no book will enable the student to master the principles of elocution. The rules in inflection, rate, slue, force, &c., that are generally given in our text-books, are very apt to lead the mind of the student astray, unless such rules are presented by a competent teacher. The principal objection against most of our text books is this: Two or three of the principles of elocution are very prominently discussed and others of equal importance scarcely mentioned. One author will devote many pages to the discussion of inflection or emphasis, and another may write but little of inflection or emphasis, but give due prominence to pronunciation or some other principle. It should be remembered that all arbitrary rules retard the progress of the student.<br><br> For the purpose of becoming practically accomplished in elocution no more important rule can be given than the following: The subject matter should be well understood and the language of the author expressed as we would utter the same language in pure conversation.<br><br> Conversation is the basis of all oratory and elocution. The child, or untutored savage can express his thoughts correctly with no knowledge of arbitrary rules. The great difficulty that we meet in reading is expressing the author's thoughts in words that are not familiar to us. The words and construction are not familiar to the organs of speech and are, therefore, uttered with labored effort. But this difficulty will vanish when we become familiar with all the words in common usage. We have but little difficulty in expressing our own thoughts in our own words. I quote the following "We use in conversation the same voice or material and the same forms of sound, and call into exercise the same thoughts, feelings, and passions as in reading. The cultivation of those powers for conversation will give them cultivation for reading, and as we converse more than we read, it is apparent that we have in conversation the greater opportunity for cultivation." Mothers generally give the first lessons in elocution, and the foundation is generally laid in early childhood for correct expression and elegant speaking. In their early years boys make wagons, carts and other toys; they use all the tools they can get; they plan, think and invent, and say but little. After a few years many of them become bashful and consequently shun the proper society, which would have a refining and elevating influence upon them. They finally become awkward, clumsy men. A few of the brighter ones may become philosophers and scientists. But little girls employ the time in talking to their dolls, keeping house and visiting. They are usually talking, reciting or repeating the stories they have heard their mothers tell. In a short time they develop into graceful, attractive young ladies. Then with proper training and careful study the soon become good readers and accomplished elocutionists.<br><br> It must be remembered that printed words are but dead forms of speech, and that no rules can be given that will assist the student unless the meaning be well understood. Naturalness is the key note to good reading. But it is sometimes difficult to know our true nature from acquired habit. In the great effort to become natural we often become unnatural. We should not borrow from others, but we should cultivate and use our own intent. As good speakers do not talk alike, accomplished elocutionists will not read alike. I will conclude with the following suggestion. Listen carefully to your conversation - correct all faults and allow no occasion to be of so little importance as to admit of loose or incorrect speech. W. H. A. |