HOW TO TALK WELL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11581, 13 October 1900, Page 5 (Supplement)

HOW TO TALK WELL.

It is better to be frankly dull than pedantic. One must guard one's self from the temptation of 'talking shop' and of riding one's 'cobby.' Whatever sets one a] art as the capital T should be avoided. A~ joke or humourous story is dependant upon its freshness for appreciation. Some emotions will not bear 'warming over.' It is no longer considered good form to say a word against anyone. An ill-natured criticism is a social blunder. Goaip, too, is really going out of fashion. True wit is a gift, not an attainment. Those who use it aright never yield to the temptation oE saying anything that can wound another in order to exhibit their own cleverness It is natural and spontaneous. 'He who runs after wit is apt to catch nonhense.' Talk that has heartiness in it, and the liveliness and sparkle that come of lightheartedness and innocent gaiety, is a fairly good snbstiute for wit. Offer to each one who speaks the homage of your undivided attention Look people in the face when you talk to them. Taik of things, not persons. Tne Dest substitute for wisdom is silence. It is a provincialism to say, ' Yes, sir,' 'no ma'am,' to one's equal. Have convictions of your owd. Be yourself and not a mere echo. Never ask leading questions. We should show curiosity about the concerns of others only so far as ,it may gratify them to tell us. Draw out your neighbour without catechising him. Correct him if necessary, without contradicting him. Avoid mannerisms. Strive to be natural and at ease. The nerronsnesness that conceals itself under affected vivacity should be controlled, as should the lond laugh. — Mrs Burton Kingsland, in tbe August Ladies Home Journal.

On the subject of artificial thirst, Sir Frederick Bramwell writes to the Times: Many years ago I knew the manager of a copper works. It was his habit in hot weather so provide pots *of water witb oatmeal in it, and from these pots the farnscemen helped themselves. The imnager arranged with one of the work* men to test the utility of this drinking. The man v?a9 weighed bffore baginning work, and one or two other men were weighed ; they all had their usual meal*, bat the one had not any intermediate oatmeal drinks. At the end of the daj's work there was a re-weighing ; the men who had drunk had not lost any weight, the man who had abstained bad lost many pounds. .The men who bad drunk were not exhausted, the man who had not drunk was dead b.at, and some days passed before he fn'ly regained his strength. Professor Flinders Petrie says that at temperatures of lOOdeg. and over a gallon a day of di inking water is fairly requisite, but the drinking should be doin> alter nn-isof, ami throughout the night wat-.T shou.d ul"wave be at hand