Page:Famous Living Americans, with Portraits.djvu/13

vi source material for use as the basis of papers and speeches, and to give practical directions for the composition and presentation of biographical and other addresses. In addition to the subject-matter in the articles, further material on particular phases of the lives of the characters is cited in the bibliographies.

Especially practicable subjects for orations are furnished by this volume, since great personalities embody concretely the principle or "theme" essential to the structure of the oration. While, for instance, the necessity for persistent effort, in the abstract, is relatively difficult to use as a subject, the biography, say of Edison, gives in the indefatigable industry of the famous electrician, a tangible "theme." It is confidently expected, moreover, that the greater inspiration of the living, the keen interest attaching to persons even now engaged in important undertakings, will stimulate to worthy efforts in oratorical work.

The chapter entitled, Suggestions on the Preparation and Delivery of Biographical Speeches, besides being of value to those not in academic work, is particularly adapted to the use of students in colleges and secondary schools for Oral English exercises and oratorical contests. The author, Professor Harry Bainbridge Gough, head of the department of Public Speaking and Debate in De Pauw University, is well qualified to give expert help on the subject. His material is very much condensed, the chapter being, as a result, a brief but comprehensive manual on biographical orations. It is believed that the article is a unique contribution to the literature of Public Speaking. 2em