The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-11-20

tinue to talk so indiferently will prove
to be that we have never seriously con-
sidered what this power Of conversation
really is. We indulge 4 vague idea that
it is the result of fine gifts, and, of
course. unattainable. Or we take the
opposite view, which is far more preva-
lent. that it is merely knack of express
SION Both these opinions are extreme
and incorrect. 1t is neither cheap ia
cility nor all atflatus; but, in most cases.
an artistic power, whose secrets soon be-
come ineligible to patient observers.
Those secrets will show that good con-
obey the same general rules. For the
brilliant and the dull the starting point
is the same.
To talk at all we must know. To talk
well, we must be able to evolve opinions
from what we know. To talk brilliantly.
we must be able to make these opinions
sion and sympathetic manner, but by
apt comments upon the opinions them
selves and by felicitous illustrations. In
other words. conversation originates. not
in the tongue but in the mind. 1t will
never be acquired by sitting down to cul-
tivate a rapid and dexterous habit of
throwing sentences together. Whatever
may be our verbal facility, we are not
conversers until We can make sub
ject grow under our treatment. Com
mon-place volubility is to conversation
as naked post is to an expansive and
fruitful tree. The germ of this tree is
knowledge. There is no hope for the
idler and the tritler. Nor should the in
dustrious be Respondent. for no one can
tell to what proportions his knowledge
may grow when once it begins to fructify
and is acted upon by many external in
f1uences.
We know that in urging this we but
state what is with many the chief obiec-
ton to conversation. viz.-that because
there is an era of knowledge: because
papers. journals. and books are univer-
sal. we know beforehand the facts our
neighbor comes to relate. whilst we. also.
can tell the end of our story the moment
we begin; that the more we read the less
we need to listen. The objection arises
from a total misappression Of the pur-
pose of conversation which is less to in
struct than to stimulate or to please. If
l am told only what | already know.
am, of course, neither stimulated nor
pleased; I am bored. If | am told what
do not know. may be pleased by be-
ing instructed. In any case the main
object is pleasure. And the true merit
of conversation is not the information
given each other. but the use we can make
of information already possessed by us
both. Hence it is plain that to converse
we'll we must think WELL and with our
own minds be able to strike sparks from
subject. The most pleasing convcrsa-
ton is between persons who are well
posted on the same matter-a converse
ton which is a comparing or contrasting
of notes. There are. then, no element
airy principles to be laid down: they can
take so much for granted; they under
stand each others illusions, hints. infer
ences, and guesses. Edmund Burke used
to say that the highest conversation was
where one built upon the remark of the
other. That is wholly different from
Johnson's method. which was to knock
down or destroy his ne ghbor's remark.
Burke was right.
If any further answer be needed to
those who think that literature kills con-
versation, it is found in the fact that the
men and women famous for this power
were mostly learned, and always extern
sively informed. They seemed to read
every thing and to notice every thing.
Maintenon, De Stall, Roland, Sevigne.
Lady Mary. Mrs. Montagu, Walpole.
Burke, Reynolds. Johnson, Sheridan,
Sydney Smith, Mackintosh-did they
converse much because they knew lit
tie? This one question contains the
whole argument.
If modern literature Injuries converse
ton, it is not because we read too much.
but because we digest too little. for it is
digcsted knowledge which makes good
conversation possible.
To be flexible, conversation must deal
with life as well as with literature.
Here. again, knowledge is needed, but
the knowledge which comes by observa-
ton. Now, a close observer lives in ro-
mances and will never lack something
good to say, for life is more fruitful of
topics than books. Pepys, Wraxhall,
Walpole, Holland, Prosper Merimec, and
other writers of pleasant gossip have
shown how much we may see if we look
around with the eyes of the mind.
We have only glanced at the spirit and
general principles of conversation. 1t
would be interesting to view it definitely
which, if perseveringly followed, one
might acquire skill and ease in this ac-
complishment. But we cannot extend
this paper even to suggest them. The
whole subject should be warmly urged
upon those who are now forming habits
for life. Apart from the direct advant-
ages of conversation, it's reflex influence
upon morals and manners is very great.
since there are needed in its practice all
the qualities of a true gentleman.
Quiet self-contidence, 4 proper esti-
mate of ones companion-an appearance
of respect and regard for him; a manner
that puts him so perfectly at ease that
he will make the best of himself both in
his attitudes and in his talk, which in
stantly checks his embarrassment when
ever it may show subsequent signs of
rising. \ federation of his opinions; an
apparent blindness to intirmities of form
or constitution and to venal faults conse-
quent upon defective training; proper
accession to his wishes: such quick
study of character as will prevent our
rousing his passions or touching within
him secret springs Of pain; such compre-
hension of his idiosyncrasies: such rapid
differences from all we see and hear as
will guide us both in drawing out his
powers, and in SC adapting our own as to
give him the greatest pleasure-all this
displayed or done sincerely is at once the
requirement and the proof of thorough