Page:Modern Eloquence - Volume 1.djvu/32

Rh qualities give power to any words that are an expression of them—a few suggestions from a man of affairs often availing more than flights of wordy enthusiasm.

Or the feast may be of a reminiscent, commemorative, or congratulatory order. Good taste, generous sentiment, sober and fond recollection may be more needful than knowledge and zeal. Indirect praise without adulation, the best phase of life and character presented, to which all portraiture has a right. For each and every kind of remark the preparation will be according to the kind. Fitness is the single and all-pervading demand. In general, however, it must be said that lightness and good humor will be the prevailing tone on most occasions, as becomes their festal character. More serious ones are not usually introduced by the pleasures of the table, and require a more elaborate preparation. The labor given to lighter remark, it may be added, is often in the direction of abundance rather than of profundity. Abundance for the reason that previous speakers may make sad inroads upon what first occurs to one to say, and that he may need to carry more oil to the feast than he expects to burn. The late speaker may have little of his accumulation of material left untouched by his predecessors. Therefore his stock should be large and various. Moreover, he should allow some margin for forgetfulness and recall Lowell's remark, and Goethe's, and Thackeray's too: "This evening I made the best speech of my life,—but it was in my carriage as I was coming home, saying the things I forgot to say to the company."

There is a third and final section of every speech, long or short, which has its own difficulties. If it is hard to begin prosperously, it is sometimes harder to close gracefully and effectively. In the first place it is important to know when to conclude. The best time may be very soon after the opening sentence. The guest who was called on unexpectedly was as wise as witty when he remarked, that great speakers were no longer available: "Demosthenes is dead, Cicero is dead, and I am not feeling well myself," and sat down! But he was a man who might have entertained the company for hours.

It is fatal, however, for many to suppose that because they are asked to speak a long speech is desired. The hours