Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-02-19
WALKING AND SPEAKING"
BY ROWING HARRY.

FRIEND LIFE-In your issue of January s. un.
der the above caption, find quotation from
Sidney Smith, with negation from HAIRS Jour.
nal Cf HcudA, and few sensible comments by
yourself
SrdXPe4Nfee 81 hhelll laGes aaGesei55f i55fc
Your experience is not fair criterion for all
other persons" Under like circumstances and
conditions, one mans experience is a very good
standard.
When Sidney Smith said, "Walk a dozen
miles before speaking" | think he expressed
himself in the usual American style of exapger
alton, which would mean something less thar
half dozen.
Now my experience, though extending over
but limited number of wears, saws emphatical.
~ walking, reading few pages aloud, or sing.
ing familiar hymn or song, is not only benef.
cial before speaking or lecturing, but it is nee.
essary in order to secure good opening in youl
declamatory exercises.
| have observed that Ole Bull invariably
struck the first note in the tune he was about to
play the instant his bow touched string of his
violin and the first strain was equally correct
with the last. His custom was to see that his
violin was accurately in tune the instant be-
fore he made his appearance; for he would
scorn to mar his artistic execution bv saving
gaze of an impatient audience.
There is just as much impropriety in COM
mencing discourse of any kind without hav-
ing the vocal organs in tune Suppose man
to be silent all day in his study or behind the
desk, and in the evening appears before an au-
dence; he is not in condition to read or
speak with ease and distinctness before his
lecture or address is half finished. He begins
sluggishly, and blunders on for some time be-
fore his vocal powers are fairly awakened. |
have noticed, even in common conversation,
that person, after keeping silence of several
hours, will speak awkwardly or answer incor.
rectly in his first efforts at making audible
sounds. The words seem not to fit the mouth
or the wrong one will intrude its presence
before you are aware that you are not saving
what YOU mean.
do not wish to be considered egotistical, but
will venture few items of personal expert
ence for the benefit of others.
have walked from two to ten miles before
lecturing, and always succeeded in reading or
speaking much better than when did not walk
l have worked at physical labor all dav, Jump
ed into buggy rode a number of miles, ap-
peared before large audience, talked extern
poraneously for an hour and half to the salts
faction of all concerned.
On other occasions, where | have studied or
written most part the day, with little or no ex-
ercise, have almost failed to find words or ideas
with which to express myselfin a suitable or en-
tertaining manner.
When person is engaged at ordinary phys
ical labor, his mind is comparatively at rest ;
and, if the labor be not too severe and exhaust,
ing, the mind and body both will be in better
condition for decamatory exercises than where
little or no physical labor has called into action
the muscular and motive forces.
My advice to all preachers, speakers, and lee,
turers is, tune up your vocal organs before you
appear in public; and I am sure you will give q
greater degree of pleasure and satisfaction to
those who listen. Take gentle walk in the
open air, and, if alone, talk to yourself If you
can not do this, stand up and read one or two
pages aloud in some appropriate book or paper
or pace your room and sing some familiar tune
Extemporaneous speaking will always be the
better for having the physical man mployed at
some plain labor several hours prior to the oc.
casion of delivering the address. The mind
has time to fortify ITSELF and it comes vigorous
ly and energetically to the work with surpri,
sing freshness. And this may hold as an ar
gument in favor of manual-labor schools The
fact is, the mental and physical man must moi
be separated if we would have harmony of ac
tion.-LDe Illustrated.