The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-10
Mi ISIS ILAH GUYON
llWJl POLHIL of Jackson


UVll POLHIL of Jackson
vile will be director
of the department Of ex-
preston at the Calhoun
county high school this year
and will give a most interest
ing programme on the even
ing of September Is at the
High School auditorium.
Miss Polhil is a very talented
reader and talks most inter-
estingly of her work. Some
one asked her what her idea
of expression was and she
answered in the most attrac-
tive way, saying;
Until a few years ago many people,
especially in the south, looked upon
oratory, or elocution as it was then
called, with much disfavor because
) the student either initiated the teacher
and thus became absurdly affected, or
had set rules for bodily movements
and the use of the voice. This could
only develop human machines. But I
think no one can really understand
the noble ideal toward which all those
indeavoring to teach the Emerson
College of Oratory method are striv-
ing without heartily approving of it.
X We all realize that expression is not at
tempting to take on little mannerisms
from the outside and learn to speak
pieces" but that it is a gradual unfold
ing from within.
Great pains are taken in working with
the student from both the impressive and
expressive sides. The impressive has for
its aim the inner development, enabling
him to appreciate and respond to great
literature
The expressive side is the outer devel-
opment which enables the student to
simply and adequately express all the
beautiful and noble thoughts of the great
authors for Others and all of the beau
tfrl~-E1,la ;..Sashts Of his own mind for
others The speaker has the better of the
average musician inasmuch as the stu
dent of expression Is not dependent on
the compositions of others for the matter
he gives forth.
The mistaken idea. is in the minds of
many that expression is gift and only
d those that are fortunate enough to have
the gift need study oratory or endeavor
IT, better and improve their expressive
side like the London street waif who was
accosted By q Mortified old lady with the
remark. Wherever did you learn such
awful language. my boy?" "Oh. it's no
use tellin' YER" he replied, tits a gift
and We couldn't learn it If We tried" This
is not true. Expression is as essential
to ones education as the air We breathe
is to our person. Every thought born
in our minds must be given to our asso-
ciates by our voice. Is it then not vitality
iimportant that that voice be musical
that 1t be properly placed, that it's artic-
ulation be distinct and our minds filled
with ideas worth while to give with that
voice? Equally important is the physical
development. Is not the body the temple
of the soul? Then is not vitality impor-
tant that that body be beautiful. graceful
and well poised? In teaching oratory
work is given to produce harmonious de-
velopment in the student by cultivating
his mental moral and physical nature.
Shakespeare says that only good man
can be great orator and SO the I'M
selfish motto, constantly held before the
student is for Others" This overcomes
self-consciousness and enables him to
widen his sympathies. Drill work is given
u -pAvsical culture and gesture to make
! 3Na - strong, graceful and free in
its ever Z sement.
VAeaA- s-.i1ls are given to make the
vocal organs produce pure, pleasing, we'll
placed tones. Much time is also spent
upon the development of the memory and
ina gination.
Until the student can have vivid Pic
ture of every scene and character de-
scribed In his selection, it is impossible
for him to make it real for others.
{ Anyone of you who has been in public