The San Francisco call., 1901-11-24

MnGn0n 70 the face, vivacity to the manner
and has a thought-compelling power that
aids fuency of expression. This and the
gushing exuberance that speaks only in
superlatives are ''many miles asunder."
Sympathy and adaptability are created
in a measure by the desire to please; but
one must be sensitive to the mood of ones
audience, and quick to perceive when
some one else wishes to speak. There
are takers who, metaphorically, take the
bit between their teeth and run away with
the subject. When they finally cease, no
one has anything to say, despairing of
opportunity. Unselfishness lies at the
root of sympathy.
Without simplicity no conversation has
charm. The moment we perceive that it
is labored, or that the speaker seems to
calculate the effect of his words, If un-
necessary mention is made of desirable
acquaintance, or there is display of at
tainmentS or mock-innocent vaunting of
advantages, that moment do we see
through the 'pose" and feel only con-
tempt for the affectation and pretense.
Truth has a marvellous power of making
itself felt in spite of what is said. Self
consciousness is but egotism under less
severe name, and self must be forgotten
before we can add to our speech the grace
and dignity of simplicity.
Subjects Of Conversation.
The subjects of interesting conversation
are, of course, multiplied by increased
knowledge of books, of the world of men
and women, music art and travel. One
should be familiar with the current news
of the day and the topics occupying public
attention, with the names and authors of
the new books. and be able to say some
thing worth hearing about what one has
read and heard. Many get no farther In
speaking of a book than that it is dull or
interesting. Others give in few words
what seem to be it's central ideas, its
characteristics, the time and scene of it's
action. quoting perhaps some sentiment
that has impressed or witticism that has
pleased.
Ones conversation may become the CEN
ter around which ones reading and infor-
nation are grouped. The habit of MEM
orizing with definite aim in view, and
the consciousness of having something to
say, give a sense of power. Practice
arouses and strengthens the habit of
ready selection and quick and apt appli-
cation.
True culture carries with it an atmos-
phere of breadth-the world and not the
village. A woman lacking it was said to
betray by her conversation mind of mar
row compass-"bounded on the north by
her servants, on the east by her children
on the south by her ailments, and on the
west by her clothes!" Some one has said
that the three IDS" are not discussed in
polite society-dress, domestics and dis
eases.
The mind grows shallow when perpetu-
ally occupied with trivialities A course
of solid reading is good tonic. When ig-
norant of our ignorance We do not know
when we betray ourselves.
1t is better to be frankly dull than pe-
dantic. Not exhibition but service is i'm
posed by superior talent or advantages.
Some persons give an opinion as though
their verdict were absolute and final Dog
matism has been defined as "puppyism
come to maturity" Others hold forth
with oracular vagueness, but convey few
ideas, as though they were educated
above their intelligence.
One must guard ones self from the
temptation OF talking shop" as the slang
of the day expresses it, and of riding
ones hobby" Our interest is apt to blind
us to the lack of 1t in others. 1t comes
under the reproach of bad taste" as
does also the retailing of family affairs.
The sanctity of home life should be guard
ed by us with self-respecting reticence.
A bore has been described as zone who
talks about himself when you want to
talk about yourself" The sarcasm aside,
whatever sets one apart as a capital 'P'
should be avoided Anecdotes that are
supposed to be of interest because con-
nected with ourselves should be reserved
for our intimates. Our troubles annoy
those whom they do not sadden. Let us
only pass upon pleasant things. A joke
or humorous story is dependent upon it's
freshness for appreciation; some emo
tions will not bear warming over" A
foreign phrase for which there is no exact
equivalent in English seems occasionally
to give point, finish or adornment to a