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Article SUCCESSFUL SPEAKERS. Page 1 of 2 Article SUCCESSFUL SPEAKERS. Page 1 of 2 →
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Successful Speakers.
SUCCESSFUL SPEAKERS .
11 What is it that makes the Prince of Wales so successful as a public speaker ? There is nothing remarkable , as a rnle , in what he says . The answer probably is , that he is successful for that very reason . He is not too ambitious . He recognises the ceremonial character in whioh he appears on these occasions . He , there ft re , confines himself to pronouncing , with dignity and good humour , just
those things which are obviously tbe proper things to say : generalities that all will agree with , and of those just enough and no more . Thos he rans no risk of eclipsing other speakers who have to rely on the intrinsic qualities of what they say . Every one goes away pleased and satisfied ; but you roust not expect to discover , on examining his Royal Highness's words , anything very profound or original . "
THE above words , extracted from a contemporary , form a very good basis on which to consider the subject of popular speaking , as they so forcibly express what may be regarded as the keystone of success in this direction . In Freemasonry we are
forbidden to discuss questions of religion , or politics , or subjects of a controversial character , and it seldom happens that anything is introduced into Masonic speeches likely to cause trouble , or give offence to the
most sensitive opponent of any particular line of argument ; there is , in reality , " nothing remarkable , as a rule , in what our speakers say , " and for this reason all classes and conditions of men can listen without feeling any of that irritation or annoyance
that must follow if general subjects are touched upon or discussed . On the other hand , this custom among Freemasons has the effect of causing an immense amount of repetition at Masonic meetings , and rnnnv
of us have frequent cause for regret that little that is new is uttered in the many Lodges it is our province to attend . It is manifestly difficult to be original , and at the same time keep clear of
controversy , and it is astonishing what small divergencies from the old , beaten track of Masonic speechmaking will sometimes lead the speaker into trouble among his listeners . Masons are , however , as a rule the most indulgent of audiences , and it has often
caused surprise among the more observant that utterances wholly opposed to the views ofthe majority present at a Masonic gathering have passed unch allenged—have not even drawn forth a sincle
expression , of disapproval—although perhaps ninetenths of the audience were of an entirely opposite ° Piyi ( m on the subject , and in any other assembly but a Masonic one would have fiercely upheld their view
w tne case , and forcibly shown their disapproval ° t the line of argument adopted . This speaks well for the discipline and good feeling which is associated with Freemasonry , and in the eyes of some would appear to offer an inducement for different
action on the part of those who are always ready to advance their own particular ideas , no matter how unwelcome they may be to others ; but it would seem jue Order is secure in the enjoyment of its old priviege , and remains a living illustration of the Possibilit y of uniting the most diverse natures under llle one banner .
Successful Speakers.
Our speakers are , for the most part , men of experience in the Craft , and have possibly learnt how far they may safely go in introducing outside subjects into their remarks . However it may be , there is no
doubt it is true that Freemasons are , like our contemporary says of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , generally successful as public speakers , and possibly for the same reason as is given in the above extractbecause , " as a rule , there is nothing remarkable in
what they say . " They " are not too ambitious , recognise the ceremonial character in which they appear on most occasions , and , therefore , confine themselves to pronouncing with dignity and good humour just those things which are obviously the proper things to
say , generalities that all will agree with , and of those just enough and no more . " It would perhaps be difficult to find better advice than this to offer to the ordinary Mason in regard to Masonic speech-making ,
and it our Grand Master works , as we are told he does do , on this principle , we cannot go far wrong in following his example . As hinted in the extract we give , there is generally one or more present at a meeting who have something particular to say , ancl if those who have nothing of an exceptional character to
refer to will carefully confine -their remarks to generalities , they will not run the risk of eclipsing the special speakers , or detract from the merits of their remarks , which , if allowed
proper and full scope , often remain forcibly impressed upon one ' s memory , and do an infinite amount of good . Following the argument of our contemporary we come , at the end , to what must
be regarded as a drawback to the particular line of action laid down ; we are told that the speaker who acts as suggested leaves nothing which , on examination , will prove either very profound or original , and such is usually the case . One must have often
noticed that the speaker who at the moment appeared the most successful really said nothing that could be stored up or handed down to posterity ; he may have made an effective speech through cleverly introducing
local colouring , but have said little or nothing that would appear brilliant when robbed of the special surroundings . It is for this reason that some of our best speakers appear to such disadvantage when reported in the plain matter of fact
ol the ordinary newspaper , and one can hardly believe that the speech we read in print , and which appears so dull and ordinary , is the same that caused roars of laughter when delivered ,
or which won for its author the distinction of being a real orator . So much depends on the power of the speaker and the humour of the audience that it is almost impossible fco form any true estimate of the
enect of any particular speech , unless one is present to hear and see what actually takes place , and can appreciate to the fullest extent the little acting or colouring , if we may so term it , which is introduced by the adept at public speaking . We are not among those who believe that good speakers must be born ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Successful Speakers.
SUCCESSFUL SPEAKERS .
11 What is it that makes the Prince of Wales so successful as a public speaker ? There is nothing remarkable , as a rnle , in what he says . The answer probably is , that he is successful for that very reason . He is not too ambitious . He recognises the ceremonial character in whioh he appears on these occasions . He , there ft re , confines himself to pronouncing , with dignity and good humour , just
those things which are obviously tbe proper things to say : generalities that all will agree with , and of those just enough and no more . Thos he rans no risk of eclipsing other speakers who have to rely on the intrinsic qualities of what they say . Every one goes away pleased and satisfied ; but you roust not expect to discover , on examining his Royal Highness's words , anything very profound or original . "
THE above words , extracted from a contemporary , form a very good basis on which to consider the subject of popular speaking , as they so forcibly express what may be regarded as the keystone of success in this direction . In Freemasonry we are
forbidden to discuss questions of religion , or politics , or subjects of a controversial character , and it seldom happens that anything is introduced into Masonic speeches likely to cause trouble , or give offence to the
most sensitive opponent of any particular line of argument ; there is , in reality , " nothing remarkable , as a rule , in what our speakers say , " and for this reason all classes and conditions of men can listen without feeling any of that irritation or annoyance
that must follow if general subjects are touched upon or discussed . On the other hand , this custom among Freemasons has the effect of causing an immense amount of repetition at Masonic meetings , and rnnnv
of us have frequent cause for regret that little that is new is uttered in the many Lodges it is our province to attend . It is manifestly difficult to be original , and at the same time keep clear of
controversy , and it is astonishing what small divergencies from the old , beaten track of Masonic speechmaking will sometimes lead the speaker into trouble among his listeners . Masons are , however , as a rule the most indulgent of audiences , and it has often
caused surprise among the more observant that utterances wholly opposed to the views ofthe majority present at a Masonic gathering have passed unch allenged—have not even drawn forth a sincle
expression , of disapproval—although perhaps ninetenths of the audience were of an entirely opposite ° Piyi ( m on the subject , and in any other assembly but a Masonic one would have fiercely upheld their view
w tne case , and forcibly shown their disapproval ° t the line of argument adopted . This speaks well for the discipline and good feeling which is associated with Freemasonry , and in the eyes of some would appear to offer an inducement for different
action on the part of those who are always ready to advance their own particular ideas , no matter how unwelcome they may be to others ; but it would seem jue Order is secure in the enjoyment of its old priviege , and remains a living illustration of the Possibilit y of uniting the most diverse natures under llle one banner .
Successful Speakers.
Our speakers are , for the most part , men of experience in the Craft , and have possibly learnt how far they may safely go in introducing outside subjects into their remarks . However it may be , there is no
doubt it is true that Freemasons are , like our contemporary says of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , generally successful as public speakers , and possibly for the same reason as is given in the above extractbecause , " as a rule , there is nothing remarkable in
what they say . " They " are not too ambitious , recognise the ceremonial character in which they appear on most occasions , and , therefore , confine themselves to pronouncing with dignity and good humour just those things which are obviously the proper things to
say , generalities that all will agree with , and of those just enough and no more . " It would perhaps be difficult to find better advice than this to offer to the ordinary Mason in regard to Masonic speech-making ,
and it our Grand Master works , as we are told he does do , on this principle , we cannot go far wrong in following his example . As hinted in the extract we give , there is generally one or more present at a meeting who have something particular to say , ancl if those who have nothing of an exceptional character to
refer to will carefully confine -their remarks to generalities , they will not run the risk of eclipsing the special speakers , or detract from the merits of their remarks , which , if allowed
proper and full scope , often remain forcibly impressed upon one ' s memory , and do an infinite amount of good . Following the argument of our contemporary we come , at the end , to what must
be regarded as a drawback to the particular line of action laid down ; we are told that the speaker who acts as suggested leaves nothing which , on examination , will prove either very profound or original , and such is usually the case . One must have often
noticed that the speaker who at the moment appeared the most successful really said nothing that could be stored up or handed down to posterity ; he may have made an effective speech through cleverly introducing
local colouring , but have said little or nothing that would appear brilliant when robbed of the special surroundings . It is for this reason that some of our best speakers appear to such disadvantage when reported in the plain matter of fact
ol the ordinary newspaper , and one can hardly believe that the speech we read in print , and which appears so dull and ordinary , is the same that caused roars of laughter when delivered ,
or which won for its author the distinction of being a real orator . So much depends on the power of the speaker and the humour of the audience that it is almost impossible fco form any true estimate of the
enect of any particular speech , unless one is present to hear and see what actually takes place , and can appreciate to the fullest extent the little acting or colouring , if we may so term it , which is introduced by the adept at public speaking . We are not among those who believe that good speakers must be born ;