memory for declamation, it should be perfectly committed, before it is spoken; as any labor of recollection is certainly fatal to freedom, and variety, and force in speaking. In general, it were well that the same piece should be subsequently once or more repeated, with a view to adopt the suggestions of the Instructer. The selected pieces are short, because, for the purpose of improvement in elocution, a piece of four or five minutes, is better than one of fifteen. And more advance may be made, in managing the voice and countenance, by speaking, several times, a short speech, though an old one, like that of Brutus on the death of Cæsar, (if it is done with due care each time to correct what was amiss,) than in speaking many long pieces, however spirited or new, which are but half committed, and in the delivery of which all scope of feeling and adaptation of manner, are frustrated by labor of memory. The attempt to speak with this indolent, halting preparation, is in all respects worse than nothing. RULE II. Of the Direct Question and its Answer RULE VII. Of the Indirect Question and its Answer RULE VIII. The language of Authority and of Surprise 60 62 63 |