The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-02-19
MODERN CONVERSATION.
The Art of Talking Not as Important q
1t Used to BE.

1ho ART OF Iaihins Not rs Important a
1t Used to BE.
The testimony of those who have
written on the subject of converse ton
with very few exceptions, is that it is a
decaying art. Some even go so far as to
assert that it is a lost art. Certainly
there is a general tendency, due to
changing conditions of life, to neglect
the art, accepting as the standard of its
highest development the conversation OF
Bacon. johnson, Coleridge, Talleyrand,
Madame de Stael, Macaulay, Sydney
Smith, and others, who, in their time,
were recognized as great takers. They
were nearly all monologists. and were
encouraged in the display of CONVEX.
sational gifts as no tall<er in this age
can expect to be favored. Listeners are
now harder to find than takers, but
there does not exist either the desire or
need for listening or talking that
aided in the development of the
gifts of johnson and other great
monologists. Steam and electricity
have quickened the pace of life, and
the people of to-day have not the pa.
thence to listen to man, no matter how
wise or witty, who wants to monopolize
conversation or does not talk tersely
and briefly. Then, too, multiplicity OF
mind-burdening productions has had a
somewhat baneful effect upon mental
faculties essential to ready and inter-
estlng talking. To memory may be
traced much of that which is most no.
tlceable in the decadence of converse
ton. From memory talking started; it
moves the tongue as water moves the
mill-wheel. In early times, when there
was less to engage attention, it was a
more ample and retentive receptacle OF
all available knowledge than now; the
printing press has taken its place, and
prescribes what we must know. When
we have use for knowledge we refer to
BOOKS, instead of relying upon an over
worked memory. Ideas and informa-
tlon century ago were diffused largely
in conversation, and the talker was
careful to speak fully, clearly, and, il
he could, entertainingly, on any SUBJ
Ject that he introduced. Now all in
formation, even to personal gossip,
comes through the printing press. 1t is
the great stumbling block of conyersa-
ton. While there are no men in this
country distinctivcly famous as great
conversers. there arc many who, we
find, are credited with remarkable
conversational gifts. The oppor.
tunities for distinction of that
kind are limited. Our social life is
not OF kind to develop the art of
talking. Small talk, a light and worth
less kind OF twaddle quite disgusting to
people of sense, is society's conversa-
tional coin. Those who have gifts that
enable them to talk instructively and
entertainingly must be sought in self.
secluding retreats. Such persons may
be met occasionally. We have no doubt
that there are many men to-day who are
capable of talking as we'll as we can con-
ceive to be possible, but they have not
inclination or encouragement to cult
vate ability Of that kind. It would be a
waste of time. There are, as a result Of
modern progress, ways for making great
er use Of the ability essential to good
conversation. Men who have ideas and
information to impart want larger au.
diences than can be reached by tho
voice; they print whatever they have to
say. Having placed enduringly before
all the world their best thoughts, they
have no inclination to spend intellectu-
al power in the social circle for the
pleasure of few. Their disposition is
to refrain from doing it. Even ffty
years ago talking was more important
than now, because men were Judged
then more by utterances of voice than
to-day. Now there is tendency to
brevity which admits nothing to CONVEX.
ton but the soul of wit, and that must
come in lightning-like flashes.-Indian.
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