New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
ORATORI.
CHARACTERISTIC EXAMPLES OF THE
ENGLISH ART-AMBASSADOR HAY AS

cannot be rigidly divided into sections with
characteristic zodacal signs. In the early au-
tumn the theatres are at their best and are
crowded with pleasure seekers; when the No
yembcr fogs set in two months series OF
public dinners is opened: after the holidays
when Parliament is in session there are private
dinners and receptions without number; when
the Season has fairly begun in May there -
bowildering round OF parties. dances ana
gayety until August: and then the splendors
of London social life are eclipsed by the varied
attractions OF the country houses and hunting
grounds If there be any section Of the year
which may be associated with a distinct SYM
Dol il is the last Two months Of the twelve ana
tho sj.n is the plate and the bottle. The sea-
son for public dinners extends we'll into the
spring. But il is in December that the zest
for them is kccnest and hat there are the best
exhibitions Of post prandial oratory
My rccollcctons Of English after-dnner
speakirr extend over a period Of nearly three
years. during which ] have listened to most
Of the noted mon Of the day. The current idea
IN America that Englishmen do not know how
to sneak cannot confirm. They are more con-
vcrsationai in tone and more deliberate and
careful il utterance than American after-dln-
ncr orators are: but In their own wav they
sneak extremely well. There is no reason why
they should not 30 SO. for the art is held in
the highest esteem and IS diligently studied
and cultivated and with the uncndnE round u
public dinners there can be no Lack ~ cx-
percncc ard training. In comparison win
American oratory English after-dinner speak
ing lacks spontlncity and f'rFor but IL pos
scss.s superior finish and literary form 1t
abounds in polished periods. nashin" episrams
and playful humor 1t Is luminous with good
sensr and reason. and while j, Is often SUI
fused with the true comic spirit. II seldom ar'
pcals broadly g. tn sense 4 tn ludicr'us, III
which the English are markedly deficient what
a wcil-fel. good hum0red audi"nr" likes here
is quiet and subtle play u SIT. with un-
expected turns and a fclicitous us IF words
Seriousness Is tolerated as necessary EVIL. nut
excessive earncstn,ss is regarded .1 bad form
In aficr-dnncr spo akng. The vote" - never
raised and tlyrc are no forvid passages dehr-
cred in impctuous excitement and IN a dis
tinctly oratOrcal STYLE.
THE BEST SPEAKERS
Tho best after dinner speakers in England
ar Lord Rosehery and Mr. Chamberlain. Lord
Rosebery with his passion for reading. prefers
a platform address. with a literary theme. in
a
superior talent for amusing pcrs ilacc ana play
full banter H. is master Of revels IN a banquet
hall Ills after-dinner speeches are rradiatcd
with a wholesome humor and excite mirth
which is not ihoughtless. but tends t. cnliven
and stimulate the mind His phrasnr Is we'll
turned and there is refinement II literary skill
in his use If Apostle quotations and illustra-
tons. He represents better than ans body else
the genuine comic spirit Of English pleasantly.
which is entirely distinct from thu American
genius for exaggeration. the ludicrOus and tn"
grotesquc Mr. Chamberlain is also 4 delight
ful after-dinner speaker. if only for his alert
ness. readiness If resource and sustained and
unbounded nucncy. AS a platform orator and
a political debatcr he is now unrivallcd in Eng
land. but ne is not perhaps at his best in
banquet room where his argumentativc powers
are restrained with difficulty. and where his
sarcasms are a poor substitute for pleasantly.
Political leaders are not. however. as rule
the best after-dinner speakers. They acquire
perience in debating and do not alter their style
company in genial mood are waiting TO be
amused and entertained Lord Salisbury is an
impressive speaker. with resonant penctrat-
ing voice and sardonc humor; but he
stands with half closed eyes and limp arms in
a dining hall he seems to forget his audience
and to be- thinking aloud for the benefit " the
European cabinets. Mr. Bafour is too indolent
to prepare himself thoroughly for social oc-
casion and his hating delivery and bad habit
Of rcfa-h.Uning his sentences midway are al
most as trying TO the nerves as Mr. Goschcns
-asping voice and awkward manner. The Duke
No rsti laZilv rpa1e his hp did
At the recent Royal Societies banquet Neither
MLIIlI.A hIg