CONVERSATION.

Conversation is the simplest and most common form of human expression.

It contains the germs of all speech and action, and therefore constitutes the basis of oratorical and dramatic delivery. We exercise these germs of speech and action most in conversation; it is therefore natural that we should here form our most permanent habits of expression.

These habits will control, not only our conversation, but, as hereafter shown, they will, in a great degree, affect our reading and public address.

The importance, therefore, of acquiring in the common intercourse of life, correct habits of voice and manner cannot be overestimated. Hence, the consideration, first, of

CONVERSATION FOR ITS OWN SAKE.

No higher art is possible to man than the art of transmitting, naturally and effectively, in common intercourse, the sentiments and feelings of which he is capable.

This art includes chaste and appropriate language, and grace and variety of manner, as well as the purity and adaptation of speech. It is, however, only the latter phase of the

subject that will concern us in this treatment, namely, correct speech. To this end, the student should secure the criticism of the ear upon his own and others' Conversation, by attention

Voice. The Voice should be natural, pure, and full.

NOTE.-The long vowel sounds, marked "Naturally," as given in the table of "Vocal Exercises," and such Conversational Sentences as are here given, should be carefully practiced.

Articulation.-The Articulation should be correct and distinct. NOTE.-Master the table of Elementary Sounds and practice the various accompanying exercises.

Expression. The Expression should be adapted to the senti

ment.

NOTE. The intelligent student will readily discover some of the leading relations of sound to sense; such, for instance, as that of gayety, solemnity, pathos, &c. Attention to these in practice, will lead to the discovery of other and closer relations, until every sentiment will suggest, promptly, its corrcsponding tone.

SUMMARY.-Voice, Articulation, and Expression, as here defined, may be termed the a, b, c of speech.

SUGGESTION TO STUDENTS.

Every observing student will be able to detect errors with reference to the several points here named. His ear will be sufficiently critical to distinguish one or more of the many faults common to conversational voice. He will also detect sluggishness of articulation and the habitual use of incorrect sounds. He will perceive, to some degree, or in some particular, a want of adaptation to the sentiment expressed. In other words, his knowledge is beyond his practice, and no more important counsel can be given upon this subject than the following:

1. Listen to your conversation with reference to the several elements named.

2. Correct, in conversation, that which you know to be faulty.

3. Allow no occasion to be so unimportant as to admit of loose or incorrect speech.

By this practice, the ear will observe the speech of those more correct than yourself, and will lead you to discover more and more closely your habitual faults, and thus to elevate and purify your conversation.

CONVERSATIONAL EXERCISES.

These exercises represent a broad variety of conversational styles and should be carefully practiced with reference to the voice, the articulation and the expression, according to the preceding treatment.

1. "Good morning, Mr. Jones, I am glad to see you. When did you arrive in the city?"

"I came in by the last train."

I hope you left your family well."

"Very well, thank you."

"You will call upon us before you go back?

“I will, thank you."

"Good morning, sir." "Good morning."

2. Is John at home?
Is your father well?
When will you go?
What is your name?

What time have you?

Did you arrive by the night train ?

Have you to-day's paper?

What is the news?

Did you see our mutual friend, Mr. Wilson?

Have you been well? You look ill.

NOTE.-The practice of questions, such as these, will be found of great advantage in gaining natural expression. They should be varied in emphasis and inflection.

3. We have demonstrations enough, fortunately, to show that truth alone is not sufficient; for truth is the arrow, but man is the bow that sends it home. There be many men who are the light of the pulpit, whose thought is profound, whose learning is universal, but whose offices are unspeakably dull. They do make known the truth, but without fervor, without grace, without beauty, without inspiration; and discourse upon discourse would fitly be called the funeral of important subjects! -Henry Ward Beecher.

4. And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.-Luke xv: 11-14.

From top to toe?

Then saw you not his face?

All. My lord, from head to foot.
Ham.

Hor. O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up.

Ham. What, look'd he frowningly?

Hor. It would have much amaz'd you.
Ham.

Very like: Stay'd it long?

Hor. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.
Ham. His beard was grizzl'd? no?

Hor. It was, as I have seen it in his life, a sable-silver'd.
Ham.
I will watch to-night:

Perchance, 'twill walk again.-Shakespeare.

6. "It won't do to let John see me in this position," I said; and so, with a mighty effort, I disengaged myself from the pack, flung off the blanket from around my neck, and seizing hold of a spruce limb, which I could fortunately reach, drew myself slowly up. I had just time to jerk the rifle out of the mud, and fish up about half of the trout, when John came struggling along."

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John," said I, leaning unconcernedly against a tree, as if nothing had happened," John, put down the boat, here's a splendid spot to rest."

"Well, Mr. Murray," queried John, as he emerged from under the boat, "how are you getting along?"

Capitally!" said I; "the carry is very level when you once get down to it. I felt a little out of breath, and I thought I would wait for you a few moments."

"What's your boots doing up there in that tree?" exclaimed John, as he pointed up to where they hung dangling from the limb, about fifteen feet above our heads.

"Boots doing!" said I, "why, they are hanging there, don't you see? You did'nt suppose I'd drop them into this mud, did you?"

"Why, no," replied John, "I don't suppose you would; but how about this?" continued he, as he stooped down and pulled a big trout, tail foremost, out of the soft muck; "how did that trout come there?"

"It must have got out of the pail somehow," I responded. "I thought I heard something drop just as I sat down."

I thought John would split with laughter, but my time came, for as in one of his paroxysms he turned partly around, I saw that his back was covered with mud clear up to his hat.

"Do you always sit down on your coat, John," I inquired, "when you cross a carry like this?"—W. H. H. Murray.

7. Now the laughing, jolly Spring began to show her buxom face in the bright morning. The buds began slowly to expand their close winter folds, the dark and melancholy woods to assume an almost imperceptible purple tint; and here and there a little chirping bluebird hopped about the orchards. Strips of fresh green appeared along the brooks, now released from their icy fetters; and nests of little variegated flowers, nameless, yet richly deserving a name, sprang up in the sheltered recesses of the leafless woods.