with one of them at the other end of
the table. You are perfectly at ease, not caring in the least
for your manner or tone of voice, but only for your thought.
The tone you adopt then will ordinarily be the best tone for
you in public speaking. You can, however, learn from teachers
or friendly critics to avoid any harsh or disagreeable fashion
of speech that you may have fallen into, and that may be habitual
to you in private conversation.

Next. Never strain your vocal organs by attempting to fill
spaces which are too large for you. Speak as loudly and
distinctly as you can do easily, and let the most distant
portions of your audience go. You will find in that way very
soon that your voice will increase in compass and power, and
you will do better than by a habit of straining the voice
beyond its natural capacity. Be careful to avoid falsetto.
Shun imitating the tricks of speech of other orators, even
of famous and successful orators. These may do for them,
but not for you. You will do no better in attempting to
imitate the tricks of speech of other men in public speaking than
in private speaking.

Never make a gesture for the sake of making one. I believe
that most of the successful speakers whom I know would find
it hard to tell you whether they themselves make gestures
or not, they are so absolutely unconscious in the matter.
But with gestures as with the voice, get teachers or friendly
critics to point out to you any bad habit you may fall into.
I think it would be well if our young public speakers, especially
preachers, would have competent instructors and critics among
their auditors, after they enter their profession, to give
them the benefit of such observations and counsel as may be
suggested in that way. If a Harvard professor of elocution
would retain his responsibility for his pupils five or ten
years after they got into active life he would do a great
deal more good than by his instructions to undergraduates.

So far we have been talking about mere manner. The matter
and substance of the orator's speech must depend upon the
intellectual quality of the man.

The great orator must be a man of absolute sincerity. Never
advocate a cause in which you do not believe, or affect an
emotion you do not feel. No skill or acting will cover up
the want of earnestness. It is like the ointment of the
hand which bewrayeth itself.

I shall be asked how I can reconcile this doctrine with the
practi