The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1858-07-17
Talking aid talkers.

Man has sometimes been defined as d talking
animal. But there are two objections TO this
definition. First, because certain of the feath-
cry tribes cnn distinctly articolate; and second,
because the majority Of men do not know bow
to talk at MI. When we say they do not know
lhow ost.,k we mean with ~propriety. They
lcmploy words but they do not build up sehtens
ces they make linguai rubbish heaps. The
loose careless modes Of expression which ii an
Fortunately 10 common has made our CONVEX
~safionSa mere byew6sM and its uninteliigibIe
E~iargons has beenscafried from the Ordinary daily
gossip to The platform and the r~ostr,,r, and
EspeechJmakers bewilaer themselves and their
hearers III an irextficable labyrinth Of phrases
Nov it Il really 4 matter of Importance that
young men should know how 10 express them
selves with simplicity and elegance, And Y is
possible for any young man, snpposing Ie Is
not d stnmmerer {and even that IS cnrable.3 to
acquire on intelligible and graceful style of de-
livery. It will undoubtedly cost him some
tronble-no part Of mental Or physical edsica-
ton is perfected withont-bnt the trouble it
occasions will be amply repaid.
A most important rule to start with issncver1
to speak without thought. Think twice be-
fore you speak once. Take time to think that
Won may save time ID speech. Comprehend
what YOU have to communicate, and then en-
deavor to make it equally clear 10 the persons
whom you address, Say everything in your
best style. Let your questions be- pertinent,
and your answers explicit Ele ance consists
in the purity and ~clearness Of iangnage. Purity
requires choice and proper words Ambiguous
words should be avoided. Ambiguity Of ex-
preston is sometimes distressing. and always
confusing. To cultivate that which is excelI-
ent, and carefully 10 avoid that which is OBJ
Ejeclionabie, requires a constant effort. Hence
the Importance Of always attending to it every
where. After we have ~nractised it awhile it
will become easy when easy it viii be pleas
ant we shall do # frequently; by frequency Of
act a thing grows into a habit, and u con
frmea habit ia d second kind of nature.
As the first blow is half the battle. SO I'd
begin the correction Of o bad habit is halt The
cure. The majority Of people in all ranks Of
lite have become SO accustomed to the %uninte)l-
igible style Of English conversation, that it is d
difficult matter to attempt anything else.
" In most countries" says q popular writer,
6 people of the highest stations, if they do NOT
express their ideas with all the accuracy and
formality of a treatise on logic, preserve, al
least, with q certain degree Of jealousy, the
habit OF a clear and easy eloquence in CONVEX,
%satioD. La France, to talk the language well
is still the indispensable accomplishment Of a
gentleman, Society preserves the happy die.
tion and the graceful phrase, which liternature
has stamped with its authority. But in Eng
land, people, even in the best and most fastidiois
society, are not remarkable for cultiva(ing the
more pure Or brilliant order of conversation
as the evidence Of tone and the attribute 81
frank
The blame Of incorrect and miinteElieible
conversation belongs to all classes but this does
not make tlt blame the less. IL some dandies
hesitate and hum and draw, and others wander
in o maze of words of doubtful weaving, and
others float on a stream of aIppant Yertbiiaae-
wrong %oflener than right, aud flowing nobody
knows wllere--it is necessary that something
should be done to eradicate the evil. The best
way to mend a social error is to begin at home
Il II is eonmon to be %slovenly III conversation
let US be If there is the risk ol
being denounced as pedantic, let us boldly dare
the penalty. II il is necessary TINT o reform
shonld be introduced, let us be pioneers in The
reformation.
This description of study may be carried on
IN all places, at all times under all eiscunstan.
cest. Felicity Of expression will always be a
valuable auxiliary in our battle Of life. By
the force OF our example we induce others Ia
adopt our plan, and experience The ~satisfac.
lion which arises from the sense of doing rood
Let us think before we speak. Understand
clearly what we have osay, aud g pick and
pack from our Saxon veruacular, until tho
right word is in the right place. N. Y. Elk
%celsier.
a CoMFoRFABLE EsTABIIsHMENF.-A cor
/ respondent OF the New nrk rntIannndent thr,