(ƒ) Allow no occasion to be so unimportant as to admit of loose or trivial conversation.

Selection.

"On a street in one of the obscure quarters of Paris one evening early in the year 18—, stood a young man, Practice wrapped in a cloak, staring intently up to the brilliantly lighted windows in the second story of one of the principal houses in the neighborhood. "The young man, whose features were shaded by the upturned collar of his cloak, seemed to be hesitating whether or not to enter the house, for he was seen at one moment to pause, then to pace back and forth past the entrance; even to place his foot upon the first step of the stairs, then withdraw it as if he had thought better of it.

"During these moments of irresolution a second person, unobserved, had approached the spot where he stood. "This person, also a young man, cast a passing glance at the other, in which he seemed to recognize him, for he halted and placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"The young man turned quickly around.

666

Ah! Is it you, Mr. Sterner? Where are you going at this hour?'

"I have just come from the theatre, and am on my way home,' said Maurits. 'I paused to ask that you accompany me, your home being in the same direction. But what are you doing here, and what character of house is this?'

"It is a gambling house,' answered the young man, ' and I have been pondering whether or not I should go up. Will you go with me?'

"No; I never play.'

"Neither do I; but I am very curious to see how it goes. This is said to be one of the principal establishIments of the kind in Paris.'

"Let it go,' said Maurits. Here comes a cab, we will take it and go home.'

“No, no; I must go up there a little while.'

"Be careful; I know you. You will be unable to withstand the temptation to try your luck, and your money, whatever you have, will soon be gone.'

"Heaven forbid!' exclaimed the young man, ' for I have thirty thousand francs in my pocket, the entire fortune of my mother and sister.'

"How do you happen to have so much money upon you?'

66 6

Nothing simpler. We have sold our property in Brittany, and I am just come from a notary with whom I completed the transfer, and from whom I have received the money therefor.'

66 6

'More reason, then, why you should not venture up there. Think of your mother and sister, who love you so dearly. It was wholly on your account that they left their little home in Brittany and came here that they might be near you, and witness your progress in the profession you have chosen. How about your new painting?'

"I have sold it to the marquis on the Rue de Temple for five hundred francs. I have that money with me also.'

"Well, you possess an easy and pleasant means of gaining a livelihood. Do not now foolishly put your very existence in jeopardy by placing yourself in the way of this temptation. What would be the consequences were you to lose the little capital belonging to your mother and sister?'

66 6

Great Cæsar! You can't seriously think me such an idiot as that! If I play, it will be with my own money only. I confess to you that I am eager to add a few thousand francs to the sum received for my picture.'

"Are you, then, so covetous? I thought otherwise. You are an artist.'

666

'Yes; but you know how dearly I love Hortense. Is it to be wondered at that I wish to be rich ?'

"Certainly not, Charles; but you cannot gratify your desire up there in that brilliantly lighted den of robbers. Take my advice and be careful.'

"Good night, Mr. Sterner,' said the young artist, resolutely, 'I am going up. If you had ever loved as I

do, you could understand me.'

6

“If I had ever loved!' exclaimed Maurits, smiling bitterly.

666

"Yes; but you have not. You are not a Southerner. You are from the icy North, where the warmest feelings must freeze; from the land of bears, where men fell trees the year round, and where there are no other flowers than such as are grown in your windows. Your nature is icy even, and you do not understand the children of the South. You presume to advise us. But I am going up there to win a hundred thousand francs, then marry Hortense.' With that he sprang hurriedly up the stairs.

"I will accompany you, then, into this nest of wild beasts,' said Maurits. 'I am not wont to trouble myself about my fellows, but you interest me against my will. You mean to play, then?'

"Yes; I will try my luck.'

"A word first,' said Maurits, pausing.

'Leave in my

keeping the thirty thousand francs that belong to your mother and sister. Quick, before you enter!'

666

666

Why so?'

In order that you may not risk them at the table.' "'You are crazy,' laughed the artist. Do you think I will touch them?'"

Reading and Public Speaking-Correct Position-Holding the Book -Facing the Audience—Reading in the Family-In PublicDramatic Reading-Speeches and Lectures-Management of Manuscript-Statistical Reports-Sermons-The Bible-The Ritual-Hymns and Poetry-Reading in School.

RE

Reading and

Public Speaking.

EADING aloud is the connecting link between conversation and public speaking. Whether in the family circle or on the platform, the art of reading well cannot be differentiated from that of speaking well. It calls into exercise the same vocal powers, and requires the same attention to the details of expression and interpretation. As an elocutionary performance there is no essential difference between the vocal utterance of another's thoughts in reading and that of your own in extempore speech. It is only a modified form of the orator's art, or, as an eminent authority has said, "a stepping-stone to public speaking."

Oral reading, of course, may be pursued for its own sake, being a popular form of public entertainment, and occupying an intimate relation to acting.

But the study of elocution in schools and its practice in declamation has distinctly in view the cultivation of the art of public address. For nearly a century in this country the fires of eloquence have been fed by the recitation of masterpieces of oratory in the public and private schools. Practically, therefore,

reading aloud is preparatory to public speech.

Correct
Position.

Effectiveness in reading requires that the body, whether sitting or standing, should be in the correct position. The vocal organs are called into use, and their proper care by the reader is just as important as by the public speaker. Do not cramp the thorax or the larynx. If the reader is to sit, it should be upon a chair which will permit of a perfectly erect position of the upper part of the body. If he is to stand, the position should be identical with that prescribed elsewhere for the public speaker. The easy, free breathing essential to correct vocalization cannot be attained if the body is reclining or the neck bent forward. Hold the head erect so that the air can pass uninterruptedly through the trachea and voice-box. Avoid that constriction of the larynx which is caused by bending the neck or by wearing a tight collar.

The book or paper from which one reads should also be held in the correct position. Grasp the book Holding the in the left hand, and hold it to the side and somewhat below the face. Ordinary print should be read with ease at the distance of

Book.

eighteen inches from the eye. If a book or paper is

thus held, the face is not hidden from the audience. Let the elbow rest easily beside the chest, and the