The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-05
CONVERSATION AN ART.
It's Practice Requires Observation, Tact
and Seif.FOrgetfulness.

UNIV En- "a tON AIN An IL
It's Practice Requires Observation, Tact
and Seif.FOrgetfulness.
A correspondent wrote recently ask
ing advice as to conversation which
should be carried on during a recep-
ton"
In the very first place, unless it be a
discussion which follows the paper at a
club, where the leaders are selected and
know what is expected before hand,
there is nothing as fatal to general con-
versatiOn as to be given set theme,
and be expected to talk up to it. 1t is
as lifeless as a copy from the flat-as
the artists say. The art of talking
easily and we'll is probably gift, like
the gift of singing. or painting or writ
ing poetry, and the best takers are
probably born, not made. But even a
very humble gift may be cultivated,
and the dull, embarrassing person may
become in very great degree, inter-
esting and attractive.
The first requisite is Inconsistencies
of self. 1t is the theme, and not the
speaker, that should be foremost, and
as long as the talker is wondering
whether his pronunciation is all right,
whether he has given the Italian sound
of ''a'' just the right accent, or whether
his verbs agree perfectly with their sub
ject, just as long will he-Or she-be
awkward and constrained. l am not
urging disregard of correct pronuncia-
ton, careful enunciation or grammatical
rules, for they are as important as the
ideas they convey; but it is after all the
idea which is and should be the main
consideration. 1t is commonly said
that good takers must be we'll read,
observant, and if there is a sense of hui
NOR, so much the better. All this is
true, but one finds the dullest of all
dull people in city draw ing-rooms,
among the thoroughly we'll read; those
who have travelled around the globe and
have seen the Kingdoms of the
earth and the glory of them. They
have not one impression to SUBJ
NIT, not one opinion to offer that is of
the slightest consequence, or if they
have they furnish a curious illustration
of the petty and contemplate things
the mind will gather up and retain,
while that which was of some account
has passed unobsefved or has been for
gotten.
Brilliant writer's are frequently very
Indifferent takers. They save their
good things to go into their books or the
newspaper article, and have way, be-
sides, of absorbing any other good
things they may overhear. At the din
ner or the supper, which it was hoped
they would enliven, they are as dull as
clods.
On the other hand, some of the most
delightful takers to be found are uned-
ucated farmers They have seen little
of the world, but they observe nature
as it lies about them; they read
the papers and reach conclu-
sions. Their shrewd, keen observa-
tons are as fresh and bracing as
the air of bright March morning.
Many years ago 1 visited Macinac,
going by steamer from Chicago. The
morning we arrived breakfast was not
served on board. The mate had ar
ranged to show me over the vessel, and
when we reached the cooks domain
that functionary had prepared a charm
ing luncheon. On tbs return trip
little souvenir was sent him by the mate,
by way of acknowledgment. The same
evening, after the supper had been
served, the cook appeared on deck,
dressed in his best, to present his
thanks in person. He was a middle
aged man, very deaf and very shy, and
not quite at ease in his Sunday clothes.
Moreover, to add to his EN- barrassment,
his cOnfreres were watching him
and smiling furtively. 1t was
rather hard work to talk to him,
because he could not hear, but
presently he told me that he cooked
during the winters in lumber camp,
and then, with little encouragement,
he gave most interesting account of
the life. Then he incidentally men,
toned the fact that he was on the
steamer the night of the great fire;
they had heard no news of the calamity.
and only learned of it when they came
within sight of the city. His passen-
gers were nearly all Chicago people; the
river was filled with debris, and thew
could not land. There were no provis-
ions on board, and the people were help
less in sight of their burning homes.
In relating it he forgot all about his
clothes and himself, and it was one of
the most dramatic narratives 1 have
ever heard.
1t may generally be taken for granted
that good talker on general subjects
must be well informed, or willing to be
informed, and he must be observing.
Another rule, both in writing and talk
ing, is the simpler the language the
better. You can generally distinguish
a real scientist from pseudo scientist,
for he avoids technicalities and tells
what he knows so clearly that a child
of ten could comprehend him. Sum-
ming it up then, the art of conversing
well may be cultivated by drawing out
others, for one must be able to listen as
we'll as talk, talking only upon familiar
topics, unless there is desire to be in
formed, and stating facts or opinions as
simply and directly as they can be put
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Too Much.
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