of differentiating (seeing the differences of things) becomes more accurate and complete. For example: To the unthinking, all the books in a library seem much alike; but the observing reader soon learns that each individual book differs from every other; and, if he would give a clear description of any given book, he must call our attention not to what is common to all books, but to the points wherein this given book differs from the other books. Or, in giving a clear idea of any character in history, the writer speaks not of such common traits and deeds as were shared with the many, but of those peculiar attributes and acts which distinguish him from all othersthose things which characterize him as an individual. And so, to give a clear picture of any kind on any subject, the author must seize on the special points which individuate it. A favorite means of making an idea more vivid and distinct (especially in poetry and eloquence) is by comparing it with something similar, but more familiar and striking. But the most distinctive way of expressing an idea is by contrasting it with its opposite. THESE DISTINCTIVE POINTS OF GOOD THINKING AND WRITING ARE THE IMPORTANT IDEAS WHICH IN ELOCUTION DEMAND SPECIAL EMPHASIS AND EXPRESSION. But these ideas are innumerable; and how can we ever learn to read well the hundredth part of them? By grouping similar ideas into one class; so that, when we learn to read understandingly a few representative ideas of any given class, we learn essentially how to read all ideas of that general kind. This classification must be purely elocutionary. By "similar ideas," we mean such as have naturally similar vocal expression. IV.-WINTER. 1. When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick, the shepherd, blows his nail, And milk comes frozen home in pail, Tu-whit, tu-whoo!-a merry note, 2. When all aloud the wind doth blow, And coughing drowns the parson's saw, And Marian's nose looks red and raw, Tu-whit, tu-whoo-a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot. William Shakespeare. FOR PREPARATION.-I. From "Love's Labor's Lost," Act V., Scene 2. The song in praise of the owl, representing winter. It is a good specimen of Shakespeare's songs. II. I'-çi-ele (i'si-kl), shěp'-herd (-erd), frō'-zen (-z), night'-ly (nit'-), greas'-y, eough'-ing (kawf'-). III. Shepherd (sheep-herd); frozen (explain the suffix en); doth (th); nipped (ed). IV. Nipped, brooding. V. "Ways be foul" (i. e., bad roads). Why is the owl called “ star"Parson's saw 99 (saw = a speech or sermon). "Crabs" (crab ing" V. MARMION AND DOUGLAS. 1. Not far advanced was morning day, He had safe conduct for his band, 2. The ancient earl, with stately grace, 3. "Though something I might plain,” he said, 4. But Douglas round him drew his cloak, My manors, halls, and bowers shall still To each one whom he lists, howe'er 5. Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, And "This to me!" he said: 6. "And, first, I tell thee, haughty peer, 7. On the earl's cheek the flush of rage O'ercame the ashen hue of age; Fierce he broke forth: "And dar'st thou then To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall? And hop'st thou hence unscathed to go?- 8. "Up drawbridge, grooms-what, warder, ho! Let the portcullis fall!" Lord Marmion turned-well was his need- Like arrow through the archway sprung; To The bars, descending, grazed his plume. 9. The steed along the drawbridge flies, Along the smooth lake's level brim; And when Lord Marmion reached his band, And shout of loud defiance pours, And shook his gauntlet at the towers. 10. "Horse! horse!" the Douglas cried, "and chase!" Though most unworthy of the name. Save Gawain, ne'er could pen a line." Sir Walter Scott. FOR PREPARATION.-I. Selection from Canto VI. of "Marmion, a Tale of Flodden Field." Have you read "Sunset on the Border"? (XXVI.) The Scotch king, James IV., in 1513, made an inroad into the north of England, capturing four border fortresses and encamping on Flodden, the last of the Cheviot hills. There he was defeated and killed by the English under the Earl of Surrey. The scene here is laid at Tantallon Castle, the home of the great Earl Douglas (fifth Earl of Angus, called "Bell the Cat"), three miles from North Berwick. Marmion is an English lord come hither as envoy, and now returning to the English camp with Clara, who has been intrusted to his charge by the Scotch king. Gawain, the son of Douglas, translated Vergil's "Æneid" into Scottish verse in 1513. |