Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-07-19
a rrNE Aar.



Tho Cultivation Of rcrsonsnty 70 onse,
Lack OF Language.
Although the voice Of woman Is pro-
verbally supposed to have its full
share Of exercise, yet 80 few women
are what can be called 1ne converse
tionalists that one sometimes fancies IL
would be worth while TO have schools
and profcssorships ~ the fine art Of
talking established. where young and
old alike In need Of help in this direc-
tlon could profit by lecture and exer-
clsc. In the first place, in such a
school there would be instruction in
the use OF the voice as an instrument,
and there would be no countenance OF
the slovenly production of sound just
MS II comes, but Il would be taught to
come In the right way, as a singers
voice Is taught; and IL Is notorious
that, having once learned all that for
singing, weak voice can be used for
speaking 10 Immensely more advantage
than one Of twice its initial force but
untaught And after the right produc-
tion Of tone had been established, an
equally good enunciation would de-
nand attention, clear and clean and
distinct, with precise consonant and
lingering vowel, and with the proper
use of the breath. And all this mere
external part perfected, then the sub
stance should be prepared which is to
bo brcathed through the shell. IL
should always be remembered that one
might talk with the eloquence and wis
dom OF Aspasia, but II the tones were
nasal, the words clipped, the accent
vulgar, few would care TO listen,
for the ear has its delights and its
exnctions as we'll as the brain.
II will be acknowledged that
the accent and enunciation can
be formed, us any style or manner in
singing or in pies o-forte playing can
be, but IL will be a question in some
minds II instruction can go further.
OF course nothing can supply intelli-
gcnce where that Is wanting, although
very often good care can develop good
pats. The first thing, however, is TO
ascertain not the quantity but the
quality Of the intelligence. II IL Is of
the gay and happy sort, intrinsically
humorous, seeing all the drollcry there
Is, that side of IL may be opened by
culture TO full and fit expression, al
ways preserving kindly flavor, since
the best essence of all humor is good
humor. II, on the other hand, the in
telligcnce Is brilliant, with a side lean
ing toward nntithesis and repartee,
that side may be polished till 1t
sparlles, and familiarity with fine in
stances makes IL impossible to be dull,
since II will prefer not TO shine at all
rather than 10 shine unworthily.
But II neither wit nor humor be
present, then the expression of the
speakers personality may be cultivat-
ed, not forcing upon IL that Of another
individual, but II the nature is lethargic,
letting its speech be slow and gentle,
reserved and seldom, but TO the point.
And IL II is the contrary, then cultivat-
ing its enthusiasms, and allowing the
slight mannerism that shall give its |
sayings a recognizable character. One |
can be more entertaining, more worth |
n listener, moro altogether agreeable,
than II humorous or witty, when an |
enthusiastic and vitalized view of |
things is expressed with strong inter
est, affairs ere stated picturesquely,
and the voice made strong with per-
sonality.-- Bazaar.