we bring the person "to book," and the book to him. Job wished that his
enemy might write a book; we, more charitable, wish our friend to read a
book, and now offer him a good one for the purpose. The author or the title
will, if closely examined, yield some matter for play on words.

The army presents of sword or banner, while usually more serious, do not
forbid the same kind of badinage.

But this should form only a small portion of the speech, and consist merely
of two or three well-studied sentences, to be uttered slowly, so that their
double meaning may have time to sink in, and appear also as if they were
just thought of. A good anecdote should be introduced at this point.
It must be short, tinged with humor, and, if it succeeds in arousing
the attention of the hearers, it will be of great value. If it is very
appropriate or highly illustrative, these qualities will compensate for
humor. Indeed, a felicitous anecdote will make the whole speech a success,
if the speech is not continued too long afterward. Better suffer the
extreme penalty of reading every anecdote in this volume, and of searching
for hours in other fields, than fail to get the right one; but if
unsuccessful invent one for the occasion!

The good qualities of the recipient must not be overlooked, especially
those in recognition of which the present is given. If anything in the
nature of the present itself can be made symbolic of these assumed good or
great qualities, it will be a happy circumstance. And while flattery should
not be excessive or too palpable, it is seldom indeed that a large dose
of "pleasant things" will not be well received by all parties on such an
occasion.

The expression of kindly feeling and good wishes always affords a favorable