10ge. 12-RB.R.

GENERAL HINTS

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READERS AND RECITERS.

BY J. W. KIRTON.

Elocution has been defined to mean-the mode of utterance or delivery of anything spoken. It may be, therefore, either good or bad, according to the knowledge of what is requisite, and the ability to fulfill the conditions necessary to ensure success. Consequently there must be some kind of rules which must be observed by those who wish to succeed, and it is to some of these that we propose directing our attention, and to answer in this way a question which young beginners will naturally ask: "How can I become a good reciter or reader?"

Let it, however, be distinctly understood that it is not intended to explain or illustrate the whole "Art of Elocution" in all its details-those who wish that, must please consult the numerous standard works already published on the subject-but merely to give in a concise form some of those points which may be most useful to those who have little time or few opportunities to study such works, but who may be anxious to improve themselves and others, by realizing to the greatest extent the meaning and beauty of the words which have been, or may be, from time to time "written for our learning."

To be a GOOD reader or reciter, you must aim to realize the following conditions:

I. Try and understand the subject correctly.

II. Seek to deliver it effectively.

III. You must be distinctly heard.
IV. You must be understood.

V. What you say must be felt.

To do these things effectively, however, let me say at once,

is not the work of a momentary impulse, nor the instantaneous realization of a passing dream. No! with regard to Elocution, as with every other excellence, there is no royal road to it—no smooth and easy path for lazy people to slide to success. Patient, persevering, and energetic effort alone will secure the prize. If these hints are practiced, many natural disadvantages may be overcome; while without such effort, good natural abilities will be of little practical service. It may, indeed, be said of this, as of many other blessings and advantages, they can not be given, and we must be content either by strenuous exertion to obtain them or to go without altogether. As a rule, success is generally awarded to well directed and persistent effort, in whatever direction it may be made. Indeed, we may at once confess that we can not give you instructions which will act like medicines, and so make you a good reader or reciter. It must be work, work, work! if you are to become clever or accomplished.

Now it so happens that the cultivation of elocution has been much neglected, if not disregarded altogether. We need only look around us to see the sad results. How very few, even of those who have received a good education, if called upon to speak even in an ordinary family gathering, can do it with ease to themselves or comfort to their hearers; while the number is even much smaller of those who can, with any amount of clearness and force, command the attention of an intelligent public audience.

Surely, therefore, good elocution should be considered a duty to which all should aspire. Indeed, we hope that the day is not far distant when it will be considered an indispensable part of an ordinary education so to train our young people that when called upon to speak or to read anything in our own language publicly, they may be able to do so with fluency and grace, accompanied with such emphasis and intonation as to command attention. Indeed, the opportunities are multiplying so Tapidly every year in which a graceful elocution will be of immense service in our popular assemblies, that, as “a wise man discerneth the signs of the times," we may safely conclude a word to the wise will be sufficient.

GENERAL HINTS TO READERS AND RECITERS.

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Now, the great mistake which is often made is this—that elocution can be easily picked up by anybody at any time! Strange infatuation! Why, if anyone desires to learn to play on any instrument of music- to sing, dance, fence, drill, or any other accomplishment, as it is called-what time, money, and effort is supposed to be needful, and, indeed, often cheerfully devoted to its attainment. And if it is so needful to devote time and effort to acquire skill in things which can not for a moment compare with the advantages of being able skillfully and gracefully to speak or read, surely some of the same effort is needful here also. Depend upon it that to charm away the weary hour of the sick chamber-to administer comfort to the inquirer, to impart information to the willing listener, to unlock with skill before the gathered audience some of the treasures of wisdom, both human and divine, with which our literature abounds, is worthy of all the pow. ers of which we are capable. Its importance and advantages being admitted, we are now prepared to lay down a few rules needful to secure success.

I. Before attempting either to read or recite in public, devote special attention to reading over and over again the piece you select, until you feel sure that you fully understand the author's meaning, and realize to the fullest extent the main points upon which he dwells. A good reciter will seek so to comprehend his subject as to make it his own. Elocution will then enable you, if properly studied, to copy, as it were, the inflections, tones, and variations of the voice requisite to produce the most natural effect in the easiest manner, and in this way to make the subject live before your hearers in all the vivid reality of an embodied fact.

Don't imagine that a cusory persual will be sufficient. You must study words, if you are to realize in all its fullness the hidden meaning of many an author. Dean Trench has shown, in his valuable little book on Words, how much this is the case. It is said that an eminent actor studied Hamlet ten years, and to this he owed his great success in depicting the character with so much perfection and power. In like manner, if you wish correctly to interpret the utterances of others, you must