Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, June 25, 1892 by Various
page 36 of 38 (94%)
page 36 of 38 (94%)
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Admirable book: useful on all occasions of daily life; invaluable
on eve of General Election. Surprised to find BROOKFIELD looking miserably dejected. Tell him he ought to be quite otherwise. Explains that, fact is, means to catch SPEAKER's eye. Parliament can't last many more days; hasn't made maiden speech yet; must do it now, or never; Rye getting anxious. Could I give him a few hints? With great pleasure; full of the subject. Begin at the beginning. Ideas; memoranda; methods: (a) The arrangement of speech, (b) the management of the voice, (c) attitude or gesture. On this last I am very particular. "Holding up one finger," I say, "is a favourite way of bespeaking special attention to some 'point' which you are trying to make; and waving the right hand, with outstretched arm, the forefinger leading, is an easy and not ungraceful method of illustrating the narrative portion of your speech. For the more vehement passages, a sudden flourish of the hand upwards, over your head, generally accompanies some aggressive, triumphant assertion, such as, 'I care not _who_ he may be!' And a similar movement downwards, with both hands, would indicate some indignant complaint, such as, 'And _never_, from that day to this, have they fulfilled their promise.'" "Excellent!" cried LEVESON-GOWER, who, as I spoke, involuntarily waved the right hand, the forefinger leading. "Yes." said BROOKFIELD, looking a little more uneasy than before; "very clear, and to the point; but fancy--er--I've heard it before." "Of course you have," I said. "It's in your book; see page 123. Mind you let me know when your speech in the House is coming off, After reading _The Speaker's A B C_, I wouldn't miss it for anything." _Business done._--Dissolution postponed. |
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