The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1888-08-10
LAKE CHARLES CACASEU PARISH LOUISIANA FRIDAY AUGUST TO- 1885
Gentleman's Magazine,

Gentlemahs Magazine,
1t is encouraging to young speak
eFs to know that there never has been,
and never will be, such a thing as a
"5orn orator" There has never yet
been an instance, Of an orator becom-
ing famous who did not apply himself
sssiduously to the cultivation of his
art. Many even had to overcome
great physical in6rmities that render
ed it almost hopeless for them to
adopt the career of public speaker,
The best known instance is that Of
Demosthenes, who passed some time
in a subLerranean cell, shaving one
side Of his head so that he could not
appear in public, He there pTacticed
with pebbles in his mouth to overcome
a defect in his speech, aud gesticulat,
ed between a suspended sword to rid
himself of an ungraeeful movement of
the shoulder, Even then he was hlssed
from the bema in bis carly efforts, but
he persevered-the world knows with
what success. When Robert Wal,
pole first spoke in the House he
paused for want Of words and coutin-
ued only to stutteT and stammer,
Curran was known at school as "stut-
tering Jack OurFan," and in a debating
society WHICH he joined, as "OFatoT
Mum" Every one will also readily
recall Disraeli's failure when he rose
to make his maiden speech. Cobden's
first effort was also humiiating fail
ure. But one should not conclude
from these instances that every speak
er who breaks down is sure to bios
som into fame subsequently,, We
have been quoting the exceptions to
the general rule, More frequently
speakers mishaps are like that of the
Earl of Rochester. "My lords,7 said
be on one occasion, 'I-I-I rise this
time, my lords, Ill divide my
discourse into four branches" Here
he came to woful pause, and then
he added: my lords, if ever rise
again IN this House give you leave
to cut me off root and branch forever" "
Many of the best orators have, even
TO their latest efforts, felt tremor on
rising to speak Erskine said that on
his rising to plead for the first time
ho should have sat down in confusion
had he not felt his children tugging
at his gown The Earl of Derby,
"tho Rupert of denato," always knew
when he was going to speak we'll by
his nervousness on rising. This was
also a characteristic Of Canning. Al
a dinner given by the mayor Of Liv-
erpool he was so nervous before being
called on to speak that he had twice
to leave the room to collect his
thoughts. This may have been, how,
ever, owing to the comparative nov,
city of his position. Many an orator
outside his accustomed haunts is com.
pIGtely lost, Lord Eldon said be was
always somewhat nervous in speaking
at the Goldsmiths' Dinner, though be
could talk before Parliament as though
he were addressing so many rows Of
cabbage plants. Mr.. Golden, speak
ing of Lord John Russell, said: son
the boards of the House of Commons
Johnny is one of the most subtle and
dangerous of opponents; take him of
these boards and care nothing fol
him" To few was it given as tc
O'Connell to succeed equally with al
audiences. Before he entered the
House he was declared to be mere
"mob orator." but in 1880 he was re-
turned, and in 1891 he was recognized
as a leader. Whether in swaylug I
multitude on hillside, appealing tt
the more educated assamblyin paFlia
ment or in persqadiRg a jury in
courthouse, he was equally at home.