The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-27
M EN w 0 M FEN
 A N D T H IN c s

I
 | l am sure that those who attended the opening lecture of the Birmingham Ly- l ce1aa at the Temple Emanu-El on Mon day evening were more than delighted at 1 the unusually discriminating and thought prov oking lecture of John Cowper Powys. 1 was convinced from the reading of his books that he was a man of rare culture. but I was afraid that he might fail as proved to be a delightful and interesting speaker, and had no trouble In holding the close attention of his herearers from start to close.
 I fear that he has underrated his abii- ity in his confessions, for as he warmed up to his subject, the Psychology of the English" he had personality plus, and really aside from his provocative charac- terizations, made a distinct hit as fin- shed and dramatic lecturer. The surpris- ing thing to me was the 'undercurrent of humor which I hadn't at all expected.
 There was absolutely nothing of the pro- fessional public speaker in his manner, there was an entire absence of merely round sentences for oratorical climaxes; but at times he was seemingly swept off his feet by the power of his own thoughts, and in giving expression to them became impassioned without having to work for any such effects. I'll testify that in such moment his hands were not dead hands," but very much alive and expressive. There was time when I liked to head the old-style oratory. It had a sonorous ring and the mouth-flling words stirred me, but somehow the war made short shift of the old school, and set in it's place more direct form of public state ment. It is, however, just as easy to make speech too plain as it is to over- ornament it. To be natural is a gift, and to talk instead of crating is nigh unto genius.
 am pretty familiar with the oratory of some of the leading peoples Here in the south we are born in the atmosphere of polished speech for it fits the climate. It 1 is picturesque and impassioned, and seeks to move the emotions. The silver tongue l is descriptive of some of our most popu- l lar orators Here in Alabama Tom Heflin and Bill Brandon are always sure of a crowd when it is known that they are to sr eak.
 l Living in the west for awhile. also became familiar with the breezy style which is born of the great wind-swept plains. The word spellpinder is particu- llarly appropriate to the manner of speech which always arouses the greatest en- | thusiasm on the other side of the Mis- Isssippi river. William Jennings Bryan, while a son of the middle west, yet in carnates in his moral and political ad- dresses the westerner's iove for moving oratory.
 I have also spent much time in the north where there is less passion in pub lie addresses, and where the appeal is rather to the reason than to the emotions. have felt the difference in the jury talks  Congress as we'll as or the hustings, dur ing exciting political campaigns The elcquence is more restrained, the fire may be just as hot, but somehow the sparks are better controlled It is matter of temperament.
 IT. my visits >to England I got to hear the great preachers. both the Church of England men and the n-conformists, manner and matter as there is between the southern and northern orators. but II haven't time here to elaborate 1t. It. was with no thought of ever being Bap- list that I used to sit under the preach- ing of Charles TTaddon Sturgeon, and ,frecuented the Thursday mornings at the temple to hear Joseph Parker
 
 Tn France got to hear the famous Pere Hvacinthe. the eloquent Protestant preacher. and I used to attend the ses- sions of the chamber. being presen, on , some historic occasions when the picked men of the country were in debate; but | am much more familiar with French act ing as embodied in the school of the Ccmedie Francaise in the days of Coqu-
 
 in the ministry among the statesmen.
 But I have laid out too much territory for my column. and so without apology I'm going to get back to John Cowper PCwys, whom you may have thought ! had shunted off on a side track for good. had to set down what l. did in order to lead up to what wanted to say about bis style of featuring. Now, he may say that I an drawing on my own fancy in saving that in his delivery as we'll as matter l was able to see a composite lecturer There were distinct markings of the American and an unmistakabe outcropping of the Frenchman: but as he truly said, nothing can submerge the Englishman." he never lost his identity. as John Bull"
 Both in delivery and message he had the daring of the American. It was an interesting thing to me to see him at times as free and easy as one Of our own political stump speakers, when he let down in his best stage manner and became friendly and colloaual.. It was also fascinating to note the expressive French shrug and the polished gestures of the drawing room, But underlying the American bravado and the French plague was tha uasAiistakabe accent of your true Brtisher.
 
 The thing I liked about his, manner as A platform speaker was the fact that he was always himself, and never postur- ing or begging fo raplause. The lecture ar no time seemed cut and dried, but parts of if apepared to be born before our eyes. For instance at the opening take the keen hut masterly reference to Disraeli. the lew It was as clear cut as cameo, and we carried away picture of the