The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-08
WESTERN SCHOOL OF oRAToRY AND
ELOCUTION.

The opening exercises of the fall term OF
the above named school took place yester-
day in the Young Mems Christian sssocia-
tion building of this city. The exercises
were opened by short lecture by Professor
George w. Hoss, principal and instructor
in elocution and oratory. Professor Hoss
announced his theme, 'The Speech Art.
He introduced this by referring to q
famous lecture delivered few years ago
by Wendell Phillips, entitled Lost Arts. -"
For two thousand years speech culture or
speech art was lost. Greece and Rome
gave great prominence to instruction in
these arts and school founded at Rhodes
had among its pupils no less names than
Cicero and Caesar Quintilian sustained
one at Rome for twenty years and enrolled
among his pupils the sons of emperors.
So much prominence was given to voice
culture that in the Rhodes, three teachers
were employed alone on voice
After the first century Of the
Christian era this work declined, and
passed into what would be properly be
called the lost arts. 1t was revived in
Europe 200 years ago. and in America less
than 100 years ago. In 1905 Harvard
and obtained the great John O. Adams for
its director, which place he filed for two
years; during which time he delivered a
series of able lectures. filling two volumes.
No independent schools were established
in this county until 1872. This was estab-
lished at Boston; since which time they
have increased rapidly. Boston has four,
New York two or more. Philadelphia two
or more, and most Of the large cities of the
United States. and many Of the smaller
ones, have such schools. The professor
then claimed that this is among the fine
arts, giving a voice culture almost as
thorough as music and a body cul-
ture far beyond painting or sculp-
ture, in it are the added elements
Of grace and health. He said this was
made an important element, because bod
ily health is a necessary condition 20 both
vocal power and personal grace. While
elocution is in one phase fine art, IL IS
also practical art ~ preparing for teach
ing C2) for public readings (S) leading
up to public speaking or oratory. He said
public speaking was too large theme TO
unfold here, but would say, in passing
that it is one of the most difficult and deli
cate of the fine arts So difficult that it is
surprising to see so many enter upon IL
without any preparation. He said think
on your feet, before an audience is no little
task, then when you add the work OF Sc
lecting under proper prOnunciatian correct
grammar, appropriate rhetoric, the hold
ing Of your theme Of thought, taking care
of your audience and self. the work be-
comes stupendous; TO many terrific.
Hence a solid reason for prepar-
ing for this work beforehand.
In closing he gave as many as
four sharply defined qualities in which
woman is emineutly fitted to become
speaker. He said three great fields are
opening for her as a speaker: the moral.
the social. and the religious. He said in
his best judgment the time had come in
the worlds religious life when men did
not need argument 50 much as persuasion,
and did not need so much 70 be enlightened
to be won. All win ooncsde woman's pow
er ia these fields He closed with al elo-
quent appeal on behalf Of women's cul-
ture in general. and especially in the grace
full culture that comes from training ia
the beautiful and inspiring principles Of
the speech art
Following the lecture the following pro-
gram was rendered,
Music, Vocal Solo.
Reverend Watson.
Recitation, 'aThe Biscksmith's Story"
Miss Clara Gshring.
Recitation. The Ws6er Waltz"
Miss Imo Creditor.
Recitation, .......... -....-.-.-' 'Lasca," /"
Miss Fay Packer.
Music. Vocal Solo,
Reverend Watson.
The performers acquitted themselves
wall