The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-05-26

For the Gate city.
The cultivation of the Voice.
MgssRs. EproRs GATE CRY Having been
much interested in the readings OF our young
sownsman, Mr.. W. G. Lyman, and bearing
that be may perhaps give another evenings
entertainment, beg leave TO call the asien-
ton Of our citizens to il, ss we'll worth their
tine and money.
Reading and recitation of fne authors 10
higher intellectual entertainment than mu-
sic, while it involves many OF the elements OF
music also. If our gentlemen Of the bar
and the ministry, whose profession requires
public speaking, and whose voice 10 their
scepter Of power, would appreciate more
fully the value Of the voice, and The uses to
be made OF 1t in their business, they would
not fail to be present at exhibitions Of this
kind. There is not one ameag as bat could
borrow many useful hints from Mr.. Lyman.
The difference between public speakers in
this particular 10 immense, and yet every
thing else il attended to bat this. One man
rises in public assembly unannounced, ut
tiers few words, and instantly every ear 10
fixed 10 rapt expectation. lie has not shown
any special force Of thought as yet; it 10 not
the thought that catches them. 1t 10 the
msgie Of cultivated voice sugg es,ing = eal
tivated mind behind it; q voice under con-
troll and adapted to the end required; avoice
which every one perceives its owner 10 eapa-
BILE OF using, and will use in an agreeable
manner. And il hs has any thing really
worth saying, be will easily command the
pleased attention of the audience to the end.
Another rises With flourish OF trumpets, and
great expectations Of oratory. He 10 known
to be capable man, and this 10 an important
occasion for which heis thoroughly prepared.
He mounts the platform, takes bis position,
opens his mouth, and pipes in childish tire
BILE, or whee1es in husky tenor, or drawl,
20 feebly that no one hears him, showing
what? That nature has not endowed hin
with . voice for public speAkingp By NJ
means; for this il not the true cause OF thu
defect, but that he has paid no attention
~hatcver to the education and preparation
of hts voice for such occasions. Nov, wha
are the public to think Of such negigsnce?-
the great inartioulate, bat susceptible aDt
much liabe-to be bored public2 What wouls
they say Of soldier who should 60 to war
or sportsman who should 60 hunting viii
IN old rusty 6relock that he had never clean
ed, nor even examined TO see whether il woul,
shoot or no,2 The fact 10, he bad much bet
ter come before them ill., dressed, with fou
linen and siouched b. on, and even dirt
hand. than with sle ..ly voice; ...= S::=..
speet and disAgrsssbi snsss would be mae
less.
The voice may be cultivated ~ we'll - an
other faculty, and probably, 10 four case
out Of Eve, made pleasant and useful 10
strnment for public speaking. Hence thos
whose business is speaking, are guilty OF in
excusable careiessness when they neglect thi
art; and they ars made to suffer for it, too
when the evil is irrepArsbls, BY finding ths
they are not successfui speakers, and thu
nobody wants to hear thsm. The old stor
OF Demosthenes praotioing with the pebbl
in biz mouth seems to be wholly thrown ava
upon our modern aspirants to pubic life, Il
they rarely emulate bis patience and industl
in mastering the first step in his business
Demosthsnes commenced in practical Va