-
Articles/Ads
Article AFTER-DINNER SPEECHES. ← Page 2 of 2 Article AFTER-DINNER SPEECHES. Page 2 of 2 Article BROTHERHOOD ! Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
After-Dinner Speeches.
listening Freemason . What brother is there amongst us who can , with fidelity , assert that he has not endured with impatience the verbal flounderings of many otherwise good fellows ? Moreover—but this we whisper with bated breath —which of us , from entered apprentice to Grand Officer has
not , at some time in his career , felt that most dreadful of sensations , when the blood seems to flee from underneath the cheeks , and the tongue refuses to moisten the parched lips , which gasp inarticulately like a fish in extremis ? This , brethren , is a species of stage fright to which the greatest
orators have been subject . In our opinion it may be easily cured . It arises from the patient attempting a task beyond his powers . Your unpractised speaker seems to think that the moment he rises to his feet it will be expected from him that he shall pass suddenly out of the ordinary
conversational sphere and soar into the regions of pure literature . He makes an attempt to round his sentences , to be didactic , or even worse , —funny . Of all the tribe of sucking Ciceros , save TIS from the would-be-funny man It is scarcely necessary to say that , in nine cases out
of ten , the aspirant for oratorical hero-ship blossoms into a verbose Icarus , the waxen fastenings of whose wings melt in the stare of many eyes when he falls flop into the sea of ridicule . This should not be , for the most ordinary , imperfectly educated mechanic ,
describing the processes of his trade , is able to give you a lucid account of the means by which he arrives at a given end . It never enters his mind that it is expected of him that he shall make a brilliant speech , and , being perfect master of his subject , he is sparing of details ; hence you
go away impressed with the idea that he has not told you all he knows , but rather that he knows much more than he has told . We have used this homely illustration advisedly , because we believe the whole art of public speaking , especially after-dinner , to lie in the one word—simplicity .
We will take , for example , an ordinary Freemason , belonging to the middle classes of life . Chance has made his career a business one , occupation has debarred him from much study . Suddenly Ave find him called on to return thanks for the visitors at a Masonic banquet . He knows that a
speech is expected from him , and he feels as if he should like to change places Avith Korah , Avhom the earth swallowed up—at least it is so stated in the Mosaic record . The purgatory of a song having been gone through , the fatal moment arrives , and Ave behold our brother upon his legs .
After a few preliminary splutters , he tells us that he has been into many Lodges , but he has never , in the whole course of his Masonic career , seen the working conducted as it has been in this particular instance . He is very much obliged to the brother who brought him , and he generally
concludes Avith the feeble joke that he -will come again as often as he is invited . That , brethren , is an example , as you know , of an ordinary after-dinner Masonic speech ; as a speech , Ave may say it is not good ; as a specimen of taste ,
it is execrable . Why is this ? Simply because it never strikes our brother that Avhat he reall y feels about the matter in hand , expressed in the terms of his daily conversation , Avould be acceptable under the circumstances .
If you will observe the practice of John Bri ght , admittedly the finest orator England at present possesses , you will see that he differs from ordinary public speakers , particularly in so far as he is more natural . He never goes out of his way to be rhetorical . Speaking , as he mostly does , on
subjects of imperial interest , his thoughts naturally flow along high levels , but whenever the subject admits of Avhat we may call the domestic treatment , you will find Mr . Bright speaking just such a speech as might be uttered at any man ' s fireside . Talleyrand said , that
speech was given to man for the purpose of concealing his thoughts . " Many after-dinner speakers pay unintentional homage to the great French cynic , by confirming his epigram in their unfortunate practice . For ourselves , not only do we not think that speech was given to man that
he might conceal his thoughts , but we think the mere assertion stupid and misleading ; and truly characteristic of the age of kites and pigeons when it took its rise . On the other hand , we believe that under every man ' s nature , however apparently unemotional , there exists a fund of incipient
heroism , and a vein of tenderness too often unworked . It is all very Avell to be hard and cold , Avhilst we are drivinc our bargains or Avorking at our handicrafts , but after the
ledger is put on the shelf , or the tools laid by for the night , where is the man Avho does not thrill with joy when he sees his youngsters happily at play , or sleeping quietly in their little white beds ? We do not advocate that what
After-Dinner Speeches.
are called the more sacred feelings of the heart should be soiled by contact with rough natures or mocking laughter . God forbid ! What we do say is , that the whole art of successful oratory , and more especially of after-dinner speaking , lies in uttering , in simple , unaffected language ,
the thoughts that arise in the mind . As it is given to but feAv men to be great poets , so it is given to but few geniuses to be great orators . A noble , passionate style is born Avith some men , and such alone stir assemblies by the mere modulation of the voice . They are men of
extraordinarily sensitive natures , who have the delicate pitch of a fine musical . instrument . They are played upon , and affected by the passions of a croAvd , as much , if not more , than they affect in turn . Watch them closely , and you will perceive that their great successes are made by merely
acting as the vocal organ of Avhat the croAvd thinks . Was it not Mr . Gladstone Avho said that " the orator takes up in mist what he flings back in shower ? " Shortly , then , it
has been our ill fortune to listen , from time to time , to a great deal of very bad after-dinner speaking . We assert , moreover , that at present few of our countrymen of the middle class are much better than intolerable bores when
they attempt to think aloud Avhilst in an upright position , and in presence of their fellow men . This arises because they attempt too much . If Ave may be permitted to respectfully suggest a few rules , they will be—Let no man speak but Avhen he has something to say , The simplest
and least conventional forms of speech are always the best . Never be frightened lest natural emotion should produce laughter , —it never will ; and , above all , avoid being funny . When you feel nervous , keep on . We were nervous ourselves once , but that time , alas ! is too long ago—in such a beautiful green world as this—to be recalled with pleasure .
Brotherhood !
BROTHERHOOD !
IN that one word Avhat sympathetic associations arise . HOAV the mind at once revels in benevolent reflections , and anticipates the felicity of that reciprocity of fraternal affection Avhich links humanity together . Brotherly love is a very sacred tie , that should always be deemed a hol y
bond , and one that will help us to bear each others burdens and share each others joys . This is the basis upon which the brotherhood of Freemasons has been founded , and to extend its aims and principles is one of the great objects for Avhich this Journal has been inaugurated . The leading
elements of power that should guide every association should be to awaken the human mind , and to give to men of all classes consciousness of their intellectual and moral power to communicate knoAvledge of a useful and quickening character , to encourage men in thinking Avith freedom and vigour , to inspire an ardent love of truth and
justice . All such associations are Avorthy of support and patronage ; while such as are designed or adapted to depress the human intellect , to make it dependent and servile , to keep it where it is , to give a limited amount of knowledge
but not to give an impulse to the onward motion of men ' s thoughts and aspirations . All such unions , however benevolent their professions , should be regarded as amon g the foes of the community , and as obstructions to the
welfare of society . It is these kinds of clubs and unions Avhich Aveaken in men the motives to exertion , Avhich offer a bounty to idleness , and make beggary as profitable as labour .
On these social questions the present age admits and requires a more extensive teaching than formerly . An intellectual activity that shall be cheered b y benevolence and social kindness , an active sympathy that shall know no alien , but become as far diffused as " fancy ' s wing can
travel , oblivious of its own delight if aught that breathes is wretched . " By the aid of brotherhood , we obtain a large intercourse with other minds , which cannot but become a valuable acquisition for the enlightenment and elevation of our own . A more genial and generous spirit
is wanted in the nation . We need reform in our political and social institutions , in our habits , our feelings and our characters . Dark and fearful are the various contests
that rage all around for wealth and pOAver . Far as the mental eye can sweep the social horizon , there is to be seen an amount of sin , sorrow , shame , and crime , that requires all the reli gious , moral aad mental agencies to stem its onward progress j yet there ia no need for despair .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
After-Dinner Speeches.
listening Freemason . What brother is there amongst us who can , with fidelity , assert that he has not endured with impatience the verbal flounderings of many otherwise good fellows ? Moreover—but this we whisper with bated breath —which of us , from entered apprentice to Grand Officer has
not , at some time in his career , felt that most dreadful of sensations , when the blood seems to flee from underneath the cheeks , and the tongue refuses to moisten the parched lips , which gasp inarticulately like a fish in extremis ? This , brethren , is a species of stage fright to which the greatest
orators have been subject . In our opinion it may be easily cured . It arises from the patient attempting a task beyond his powers . Your unpractised speaker seems to think that the moment he rises to his feet it will be expected from him that he shall pass suddenly out of the ordinary
conversational sphere and soar into the regions of pure literature . He makes an attempt to round his sentences , to be didactic , or even worse , —funny . Of all the tribe of sucking Ciceros , save TIS from the would-be-funny man It is scarcely necessary to say that , in nine cases out
of ten , the aspirant for oratorical hero-ship blossoms into a verbose Icarus , the waxen fastenings of whose wings melt in the stare of many eyes when he falls flop into the sea of ridicule . This should not be , for the most ordinary , imperfectly educated mechanic ,
describing the processes of his trade , is able to give you a lucid account of the means by which he arrives at a given end . It never enters his mind that it is expected of him that he shall make a brilliant speech , and , being perfect master of his subject , he is sparing of details ; hence you
go away impressed with the idea that he has not told you all he knows , but rather that he knows much more than he has told . We have used this homely illustration advisedly , because we believe the whole art of public speaking , especially after-dinner , to lie in the one word—simplicity .
We will take , for example , an ordinary Freemason , belonging to the middle classes of life . Chance has made his career a business one , occupation has debarred him from much study . Suddenly Ave find him called on to return thanks for the visitors at a Masonic banquet . He knows that a
speech is expected from him , and he feels as if he should like to change places Avith Korah , Avhom the earth swallowed up—at least it is so stated in the Mosaic record . The purgatory of a song having been gone through , the fatal moment arrives , and Ave behold our brother upon his legs .
After a few preliminary splutters , he tells us that he has been into many Lodges , but he has never , in the whole course of his Masonic career , seen the working conducted as it has been in this particular instance . He is very much obliged to the brother who brought him , and he generally
concludes Avith the feeble joke that he -will come again as often as he is invited . That , brethren , is an example , as you know , of an ordinary after-dinner Masonic speech ; as a speech , Ave may say it is not good ; as a specimen of taste ,
it is execrable . Why is this ? Simply because it never strikes our brother that Avhat he reall y feels about the matter in hand , expressed in the terms of his daily conversation , Avould be acceptable under the circumstances .
If you will observe the practice of John Bri ght , admittedly the finest orator England at present possesses , you will see that he differs from ordinary public speakers , particularly in so far as he is more natural . He never goes out of his way to be rhetorical . Speaking , as he mostly does , on
subjects of imperial interest , his thoughts naturally flow along high levels , but whenever the subject admits of Avhat we may call the domestic treatment , you will find Mr . Bright speaking just such a speech as might be uttered at any man ' s fireside . Talleyrand said , that
speech was given to man for the purpose of concealing his thoughts . " Many after-dinner speakers pay unintentional homage to the great French cynic , by confirming his epigram in their unfortunate practice . For ourselves , not only do we not think that speech was given to man that
he might conceal his thoughts , but we think the mere assertion stupid and misleading ; and truly characteristic of the age of kites and pigeons when it took its rise . On the other hand , we believe that under every man ' s nature , however apparently unemotional , there exists a fund of incipient
heroism , and a vein of tenderness too often unworked . It is all very Avell to be hard and cold , Avhilst we are drivinc our bargains or Avorking at our handicrafts , but after the
ledger is put on the shelf , or the tools laid by for the night , where is the man Avho does not thrill with joy when he sees his youngsters happily at play , or sleeping quietly in their little white beds ? We do not advocate that what
After-Dinner Speeches.
are called the more sacred feelings of the heart should be soiled by contact with rough natures or mocking laughter . God forbid ! What we do say is , that the whole art of successful oratory , and more especially of after-dinner speaking , lies in uttering , in simple , unaffected language ,
the thoughts that arise in the mind . As it is given to but feAv men to be great poets , so it is given to but few geniuses to be great orators . A noble , passionate style is born Avith some men , and such alone stir assemblies by the mere modulation of the voice . They are men of
extraordinarily sensitive natures , who have the delicate pitch of a fine musical . instrument . They are played upon , and affected by the passions of a croAvd , as much , if not more , than they affect in turn . Watch them closely , and you will perceive that their great successes are made by merely
acting as the vocal organ of Avhat the croAvd thinks . Was it not Mr . Gladstone Avho said that " the orator takes up in mist what he flings back in shower ? " Shortly , then , it
has been our ill fortune to listen , from time to time , to a great deal of very bad after-dinner speaking . We assert , moreover , that at present few of our countrymen of the middle class are much better than intolerable bores when
they attempt to think aloud Avhilst in an upright position , and in presence of their fellow men . This arises because they attempt too much . If Ave may be permitted to respectfully suggest a few rules , they will be—Let no man speak but Avhen he has something to say , The simplest
and least conventional forms of speech are always the best . Never be frightened lest natural emotion should produce laughter , —it never will ; and , above all , avoid being funny . When you feel nervous , keep on . We were nervous ourselves once , but that time , alas ! is too long ago—in such a beautiful green world as this—to be recalled with pleasure .
Brotherhood !
BROTHERHOOD !
IN that one word Avhat sympathetic associations arise . HOAV the mind at once revels in benevolent reflections , and anticipates the felicity of that reciprocity of fraternal affection Avhich links humanity together . Brotherly love is a very sacred tie , that should always be deemed a hol y
bond , and one that will help us to bear each others burdens and share each others joys . This is the basis upon which the brotherhood of Freemasons has been founded , and to extend its aims and principles is one of the great objects for Avhich this Journal has been inaugurated . The leading
elements of power that should guide every association should be to awaken the human mind , and to give to men of all classes consciousness of their intellectual and moral power to communicate knoAvledge of a useful and quickening character , to encourage men in thinking Avith freedom and vigour , to inspire an ardent love of truth and
justice . All such associations are Avorthy of support and patronage ; while such as are designed or adapted to depress the human intellect , to make it dependent and servile , to keep it where it is , to give a limited amount of knowledge
but not to give an impulse to the onward motion of men ' s thoughts and aspirations . All such unions , however benevolent their professions , should be regarded as amon g the foes of the community , and as obstructions to the
welfare of society . It is these kinds of clubs and unions Avhich Aveaken in men the motives to exertion , Avhich offer a bounty to idleness , and make beggary as profitable as labour .
On these social questions the present age admits and requires a more extensive teaching than formerly . An intellectual activity that shall be cheered b y benevolence and social kindness , an active sympathy that shall know no alien , but become as far diffused as " fancy ' s wing can
travel , oblivious of its own delight if aught that breathes is wretched . " By the aid of brotherhood , we obtain a large intercourse with other minds , which cannot but become a valuable acquisition for the enlightenment and elevation of our own . A more genial and generous spirit
is wanted in the nation . We need reform in our political and social institutions , in our habits , our feelings and our characters . Dark and fearful are the various contests
that rage all around for wealth and pOAver . Far as the mental eye can sweep the social horizon , there is to be seen an amount of sin , sorrow , shame , and crime , that requires all the reli gious , moral aad mental agencies to stem its onward progress j yet there ia no need for despair .