An Accomplishment for Ladies.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 866, 5 October 1888, Page 4

An Accomplishment for Ladies.

Recitations of pretty and effective poems and other short pieces have become of late a popular form of entertainment at afternoon and evening parties, and is one that is especially nuited to < ladies. A young lady may not, perhaps, be able to sing, her ear may not bo sufficiently acourafce», v but.she ppSbsbsob a good voice and delicacy, and a

graceful and pleasing manner. These qualifications are suitable for speaking and reciting, and will frequently give as much, if not-more pleasure, than a song. As in acting, the-reciter must have no self-conscious-ness ; she, must identify herself in mind and feeling with her subject and must thoroughly comprehend it; she must-take no thought of her audience, except to remember never to turn her back upou them ; and, having selected a poem suitable for the occasion, she must quietly take up her position, and with leisurely grace commence, without any appearance of hurry, and without forcing her voice, reserving its full power until some especially enunciated passage occurs. A lady need not use much aotion—a littie graceful movement of the arms and hands and swaying of the body is generally sufficient. A serious or dramatic piece—a description of a battle, of the death of a hero, a speech or soliloquy .from Shakes-peare-should always be given before a light or more humorous piece, and it is an advantage to choose a piece not too well known or much hackneyed, less criticism being constantly evoked as well as the charm of novelty being given. To young ladies this power of recitation is a great boon, aa well as a great.benefit by encouraging a taste for literature and improving their powers of memory, at the same time that it gives much pleasure to their listeners. Many of Macauley’s poems will be found popular for learning and re. citing, as are also pieces fronf Sir Walter Scott, Byron, Tennyson, Coleridge, Southey, Wordsworth, Edgar Poe, Browning and most of the poets. Shakespeare being in blank verse, is more difficult, but is good practice and easy to acquire. A young lady who re* cites well will probably also act well, and will be eagerly sought after when amateur theatricals are being got up; the training of the voice and pronunciation as well as of gestures, which she has learned for reciting, she will find still more necessary and useful when on the amateur stage.