The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-05-30
CONVERSATION
AS AN ART
Mrs. Ellen Weaver Gives
Interesting Address
at Y. W. G. A.


day afternoon at the o'clock lecture
hour before the members Of the Y. W.
C. ~. In the Boston block. on the art
OF conversation. and entertained them
also with "reminiscences OF her CONVEX
ssi tons with Elizabeth Peabody, Julia
Ward Howe. Edward Everett Hale. DR..
Mark Hopkins. Mary Mapes Dodge.
Ellen Mason and Mary Putnam ia
CODY. Mrs. Weaver said:
Art Is defined as anything done by
human skill. and conversation as ia
miiiar discourse. The beauty OF art Is
to conceal art. as mother nature covers |
her working forces with tissues and |
delicate tints. Well ordered converse |
ton should be perfectly natural. and |
Is largely q gift OF nature. but O small |
talent can be increased and a larger |
one perfected by art. A fine voice must
be trained as We train our vines on a
trellis that every promising tendril
may climb gracefully higher. A pleas
ing conversationalist makes no SEEM
ing effort, but Is unconsciously making
use of certain principles which are
summed up after much study and Gull
ture in a charming result. The skel-
clothed with ideas. flowers OF speech,
narrative. wit, humor and glowing de
scription. tall there is not trace LETT
Of the grim old bones that haunted our
school days. The verbs and subjects
fall into line like we'll trained servants.
Ideas flow and stories apropos are told
because a lively brain and Imagination
are at work. all OF which presupposes
/ reading. observation and good COM
| mon sense understanding OF things In
| general, with a desire to please. The
studied conversationalist and joker Is
always a dismal failure. II you know
| something. or feel anxious to know
something about the subject introduc-
ed, hearken with interest and soon
| ideas and words will form into familiar
converse. A sympathetic interchange
| of thought Is profitable and delightful,
and IL largely relaxation. sort OF plav
of intellect. tossing and returning the
ball with all possible sparkle and GOOD
humor. Conversation may be serious.
even educational. and a valuable source
II mental culture. and very enjoyable
II the parties engaged are orainy
enough. The dialogues of Plato have
been models through all succeeding
times.
II Is n fine accomplishment to be a
; bright. tactful conversationalist. Peo-
pIe so gifted are always welcome in So
cial circles. Would that all who enter
the social world would take a vow 70
bride their tongues" that their speech
be always with grace according TO 81
Paui's recipe for promoting love. JOY
peace, and a long train or virtues
"Discretion of speech is more than eIo-
} quence," says Bacon. the art OF
speaking gently and wisely may ot
traced like good manners TO a kinu
true heart. They are woven into ths
warn and wool of the Golden Rule
} solomon gays. Words fifty spoken are
like apples OF gold in pictures OF sii'
YER" adding treasure To treasure ant
value to value. and best OF all, TIM:
beautiful art Is within the reach OF III
10 a degree. through culture
Personalities should be avoided save
IN serious confidence, although public
| characters may be discussed frankly II
} | general conversation. Like "a city Sc
on a hill. they cannot be ma, thsL
| words and deeds cast long rays To-
| good or IN. When Henry Ward Beech
er was accused of fraternizing witt
) Robert Ingersoll, he said: "Nhen
: meet Mr.. Ingersoll / always shak
7 hands with the good side OF him. ON.
the strong and pure can rise SO trI
|. rin,phantly above essential differences
\ a keen sense OF the goodness or oth
ers is n wholesome quality OF MIND an
| converse, and like salt. Keeps thlhs
. from spelling. You may nave near
: OF the dear, charitable old iady WHO'S
children complained that she Woul
= fu1 good I'm the devil. Il commen
!. him for his industry" was her reply.
, There is a fine art in saying VIVA
= must be said by way of correcto
= kindly and firmly. Mothers learn I'M
= truth in dealing with little delinquent!
= Love is tine key that best fits the doc
: to good purposes and good manner
\ .Don't YOU think you had better
= efr,ctual when do as tel you
z ! iruuscs resentment.
q \ sanity friend comes to MIND Wn
! has for many years held honorapl
y places on Boards for charitable wor
Z in san Francisco. who is reverentiy ot
Z loved because of her tact in orlnglr
: opposing factions into harmony by r
; proof so kind and just that peace rad
= ates from her gentle presence
= Good breeding-goOd form, denans
y consideration for the feelings or OF
! ers Oliver Wendell Holmes says u
Z faults OF conversation are want
ideas. want OF words and want o. MAJ
~ ners. To keep these three essentlaIs
- active. harmonious proportion maxi
conversation fine art.
'As the sun coIors flowers. so art CO
oTs life"