peech-making develops mental power and character. This explains the
rapidity with which a young man develops in school or college when he
begins to take part in public debates or in debating societies.

Every man, says Lord Chesterfield, may choose good words instead of bad
ones and speak properly instead of improperly; he may have grace in his
motions and gestures, and may be a very agreeable instead of
disagreeable speaker if he will take care and pains.

It is a matter of painstaking and preparation. There is everything in
learning what you wish to know. Your vocal culture, manner, and mental
furnishing, are to be made a matter for thought and careful training.
Nothing will tire an audience more quickly than monotony, everything
expressed on the same dead level. There must be variety; the human
mind tires very quickly without it.

This is especially true of a monotonous tone. It is a great art to be
able to raise and lower the voice with sweet flowing cadences which
please the ear.

Gladstone said, "Ninety-nine men in every hundred never rise above
mediocrity because the training of the voice is entirely neglected and
considered of no importance."

It was indeed said of a certain Duke of Devonshire that he was the only
English statesman who ever took a nap during the progress of his own
speech. He was a perfect genius for dry uninteresting oratory, moving
forward with a monotonous droning, and pausing now and then as if
refreshing himself by slumber.

In thinking on one's feet before an audience, one must think quickly,
vigorously, effectively. At the same time he must speak effectively
through a properly modulated voice, with proper facial and bodily
expression and gesture. This requires practise in early life.

In youth the would-be orator must cultivate robust health, since force,
enthusiasm, conviction, will-power are greatly affected by physical
condition. One, too, must cultivate bodily posture, and have good
habits at easy command. What would have been the result of Webster's
reply to Hayne, the greatest oratorical effort ever made on this
continent, if he had sat down in the Senate and put his feet on his
desk? Think of a great singer like Nordica attempting to electrify an
audience while lounging on a sofa or sitting in a slouchy position.

An early training for effective speaking will make one careful to
secure a good vocabulary by good reading and a dictionary. One must
know words.