r examples
pointing out the proper modes of arranging them; but simply to insure
persons who often have a good thing to say, from the confusion and
mortification of improperly saying it. This chapter of introduction will
not, therefore, be expected to present an essay on the general subject of
conversation.

It may be remarked, however, by way of admonitory hint to some, that the
most prominent error in the conversation of those who commit the most
blunders, does not consist in saying too little that amounts to much, but
too much that amounts to little; talkativeness is a characteristic more
commonly of the ignorant, than of the wise. Shenstone says, "The common
fluency of speech in many men, and most women, is owing to a scarcity of
matter and a scarcity of words; for whoever is master of a language, and
moreover has a mind full of ideas, will be apt, in speaking, to hesitate
upon the choice of both; but common speakers have only one set of ideas
and one set of words to clothe them in,--and these are always ready at the
mouth. Just so, _people can come faster out of a church when it is almost
empty, than when a crowd is at the door_!" But although, according to the
old proverb, "a still tongue denotes a wise head," the faculty of speech
should not be neglected, merely because it may be misused.

Conversation is not a gift bestowed only upon those whom genius favors; on
the contrary, many men eminent for their fluency of style in writing, have
been noted for habitual taciturnity in their intercourse with society.
Hazlitt remarked, that "authors should be read, not heard!" Charles II. of
England, not only the wittiest of monarchs, but one of the liveliest of
men, is said to have been so charmed in reading the humor of Butler's
"Hudibras," that he disguised himself as a private gentleman, and was
introduced to the author, whom, to his astonishment, he found to be one of
the _dullest_ of companions. On the other hand, some of the humblest men
with whom one falls into company, possessed of but little variety, and
less extent of information, are highly entertaining talkers. The
particular topic of remark does not form so essential a part of an
interesting conversation, as the words and manner of those who engage in
it. Robert Burns, sitting down on one occasion to write a poem, said:

"Which way the subject theme may gang,
Let time or chance determine;
Perhaps it may turn out a sang,--
Or probably a sermon."