The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-15

Man has sometimes bsan defined as talking
animal; but there are two objections to this de-
finition. Flrsl, because certain OF thi fruthored
tribes can distinctly artlcnlatc; aud second, b;-
cause the majority OF men do not know how TO
talk at all Whan we say they do not know
how to talk, we mean with proprlcty. They
employ words but they do not bull up SEN
tences. They make lngull rubbish heaps. The
loose, careless mode OF expression wLch is un-
fortunately so common has made our cunycr5l
tion mere by-wofd, and its unnlniligiblc jar
gon has been carried from tn, ordinary daily
gossip to the piat'orm and the l0sirum, and
spcechmokers hewlidor tbcms' lyesand their h, ar
ers in an intricate lubyrInth of phrases
Now it is really "a matter OF Importance that
young men should know how to express them
seve with simplicity aud elegance. And it is
possible for any young mon, supgosing he is not
u stammcrer--Hnd even that Is Curahe--tn ac-
qure an ineliglblo aud graceful style of dcliv-
cry. 1t will undoubtedly cost him some trouble
no part of mental or physical education is
perfected without--hut the trouble it occasions
will be amply repaid
a most important rule o start with is never
TO speak without thought Think twice before
you speak once. Talks time to think that you
muy save time in speech. Comprehend clearly
what you have to CumWunclte, aud then en-.
deavor to make it equally clear to the person or
persons whom you address, Say every thing in
your best style Let your questions be pertinent
md your answers explicit. Elegance consists
in the purity and clcarness Of language. Purity
requires choice aud proper words. Ambiguous
words should always be avoided. Ambiguity
of expression is sometimes distressing. and al
ways confusing To cultivate that which is ex-
cellent, and cnrelally to avoid that which is oh
jectionable, requires constant effort llenc
the importance of always Attending to it every
where. After we have practisad it awhile it will
become easy when easy ii will b. pleasant
when pleasant we sha | do it frequently " By
frequency of act thing grows intoa habit, and
u confirmed habit is u second kind of nature.
AS the first blow is half the battle, so to bo
gin the correction of bad habit is half the
cure. The majority of people IN all ranks of liz,
have become so accustomed to the uuintelligl
BILE style of conversation, that it is diaieul
matter TO attempt unything else.
The blame of incorrect aud uniutelligible con
versation belongs to all clJssca, but this does no
make the blame the less. II some dandies hcsi
tate, and hum and dmwl, and Others wander in
n maze of words of doubtful meaning, and 9th
ers float on u stream of ilippant vorhjage--oft
tener wrong than right, and flowing nobody
knows wherG-it is necessary that somrthing
should b. done to eradicate the evil The best
way to mend a social error is 10 begin at homo
IT it is common 10 be lOvtulv in conversation
let us be uncommon. Ii there is Ia, risk OF BE-
ing denounced let us boldly dare the penalty
If it Is necessary that Il reform shoud be intro
duced, let Us be the pioneers in the reformation
This description Of study may b. carried on il
all places, at all times, uuirr all circumstances
Felicity Of expression will always be a valuable
auxiliary in our battle of life. By the force o
our example We induce Others to adopt our plan
and experience the satisfaction that arises fton
sense of doing good
Let us think before we speak Unlerston,
clearly what We have 20 say, and "pick bn,
pack from our Saxon vcrnncuar, until tn
right words are in the right place.