PART 2. EXPRESSION

CONFIDENCE

It can not be too strongly emphasized that uncertainty in either reading or speaking is fatal to effectiveness. In connection with the reading lesson you have an exceptional opportunity to develop a high degree of self-confidence. Bear in mind that confidence is almost invariably associated with dignity, frankness, sincerity, and thoroughness. These qualities you should put resolutely into the work of the reading lesson. Thoroughness, indeed, is one of the fundamental qualities in any successful undertaking. There is no better test of your having comprehended an author's meaning than your ability to express that meaning in your own words. Proceed now to analyze one of the passages; then close the book and test yourself as indicated. When you stand to read before others, the realization that you have carefully studied the passage should inspire in you a feeling of confidence in yourself and in your ability to read with interest and intelligence.

EXAMPLES FOR PRACTISE

1. Fight on, thou brave, true heart, and falter not, through dark fortune and through bright. The cause thou fightest for, so far as it is true, no farther, yet precisely so far, is very sure of victory. The falsehood alone of it will be conquered, will be abolished, as it ought to be: but the truth of it is part of Nature's own laws, cooperates with the world's eternal tendencies, and can not be conquered.

"Await the Issue."

THOMAS CARLYLE.

2. They gave their lives for their country, and gained for themselves a glory that can never fade, a tomb that shall stand as a mark forever. I do not mean that in which their bodies

lie, but in which their renown lives after them, to be remembered forever on every occasion of speech or action which calls it to mind. For the whole earth is the grave and monument of heroes. It is not the mere graving upon marble in their native land which sets forth their deeds; but even in lands where they were strangers there lives an unwritten record in every heart-felt, tho never embodied.

"Funeral Oration."

PERICLES.

3. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. "Proverbs, 4."

THE BIBLE.

4. Phillips did not shrink from the sternest denunciation, or ridicule, or scorn, of those who seemed to him recreant to freedom and humanity. The idols of a purely conventional virtue he delighted to shatter, because no public enemy seemed to him more deadly than the American who made moral cowardice respectable. He knew that his ruthless words closed to him homes of friendship and hearts of sympathy. He saw the amazement, he heard the condemnation; but like the great apostle preaching Christ, he knew only humanity, and humanity crucified. Tongue of the dumb, eyes of the blind, feet of the impotent, his voice alone, among the voices that were everywhere heard and heeded, was sent by God to challenge every word, or look, or deed, that seemed to him possibly to palliate oppression or to comfort the oppressor.

"On Wendell Phillips."

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.

5. Wherefore, O judges, be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth-that no evil can happen to a good man,

either in life or after death. He and his are not neglected by the gods; nor has my own approaching end happened by mere chance. But I see clearly that to die and be released was better for me; and therefore the oracle gave no sign. For which reason, also, I am not angry with my accusers or my condemners; they have done me no harm, altho neither of them meant to do me any good; and for this I may gently blame them. Still I have a favor to ask of them. When my sons are grown up I would ask you, O my friends, to punish them, and I would have you trouble them, as I have troubled you, if they seem to care about riches, or anything, more than about virtue; or if they pretend to be something when they are really nothing-then reprove them, as I have reproved you, for not caring about that for which they ought to care, and thinking that they are something when they are really nothing. And if you do this, I and my sons will have received justice at your hands. The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways -I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows. SOCRATES. "From the Dialogs of Plato." Translated by Benjamin Jowett.

SEVENTH LESSON

PART 1. DRILL

1. Physical Culture. Extend both arms straight out at the sides, the palms upward; then slowly rotate the arms and hands from front to rear. Keep the body as erect as possible, and breathe regularly.

2. Deep Breathing. Inhale deeply through the nostrils. Hold the breath a moment or two while tensing the muscles of the waist. Exhale slowly through the nostrils,

3. Voice Exercise. Repeat the following with distinct enunciation and pure-toned voice: 1, ah; 2, ah; 3, ah; 4, ah; 5, ah; 6, ah; 7, ah; 8, ah; 9, ah; 10, ah. The purpose of the alternating of the "ah" is to train you to open your mouth well in speech. Repeat the exercise in various keys. 4. Articulation. Repeat with great rapidity:

When you analyze a passage for reading try to make a mental picture of the various thoughts. The image-making faculty can be surprizingly developed after a little prac

tise. You are not likely to make others see vividly what you do not yourself see with your mind's eye. Do not forget that besides this preliminary practise in picturing, you must again see the picture at the moment of utterance. The examples given in this lesson lend themselves particularly to this kind of practise. You will find it helpful to put questions to yourself in order to bring out clearly in your mind the details of an extract. For example, after reading the first extract hereunder, ask yourself such questions as: Did you see the battle in actual progress? About how many men were there? What were they like? Can you describe any other details of the engagement? What time of the day was it? From what direction did the relieving army come? Were they on time? What was the result of the battle? Can you see the face of the defeated commander? Can you describe him?

EXAMPLES FOR PRACTISE

Column after column had

1. A great battle was going on. been precipitated for eight mortal hours on the enemy posted along the ridge of a hill. The summer sun was sinking to the west; reenforcements for the obstinate defenders were already in sight; it was necessary to carry the position with one final charge, or everything would be lost. A powerful corps had been summoned from across the country, and if it came up in season all would yet be well. The great conqueror, confident in its arrival, formed his reserve into an attacking column, and ordered them to charge the enemy. The whole world knows the result. Grouchy failed to appear; the Imperial Guard was beaten back; Waterloo was lost. Napoleon died a prisoner at St. Helena because one of his marshals was behind time. "Behind Time."

FREEMAN HUNT.

2. There was one clear shining star that used to come out in the sky before the rest, near the church-spire, above the graves.