The University Courier.
Vol. II. NOVEMBER 25, 1883. No. 6.
THE FORTNIGHT.
Some one has said, "It is very easy to be charitable—with good advice." The editor of this department is reminded of that little remark after each issue. One time there will be growls because the department contains nothing but dramatic notices, at another, because we fail to comment on some variety show, or company of hamfatters and barn-stormers. The athletic student wants us to write on base-ball, the politician suggests as good subjects the "Chili-Peruvian peace," or the "Ohio elections" or "Tariff" or "Recent decisions of the Supreme Court" or "The Edmunds Law." Now as we want to please everyone we will make this proposition. Write a brief letter setting forth your views as to the manner in which this department should be conducted. In our next issue we will publish as many of them as our space will permit. This is a student's paper and we desire the opinions of the students on this subject. Address the editor.
There has been a great deal said of late about the lack of drill in elocution in the University. Students are demanding so much more instruction in the art of speaking than the regular professor can give, that
nearly two hundred are in the down town classes. This is all very well; to be able to express our thoughts easily and with force is a very good thing, but let us not lose the substance in hunting for the shadow. Let us not put manner above matter, delivery above thought. Some say that however good the matter, if the manner is not also good the speech has no effect; some even go so far as to declare that delivery is more than thought. You will also hear that in a contest the oration poorly written but well delivered will beat the one well written but poorly delivered. This is sometimes the case, but the fault is in lack of thorough conviction and earnestness. We have never yet seen the man who heartily believed and was really in earnest in what he wished to say, that failed to speak both forcibly and well. We always think of that passage in Faust:
Mit wenig Kunst sich selber vor;
Und wenn's euch Ernst ist, was zu sagen,
Ist's noethig, Worten nachzujagen ?
Ja, eure Rede, die so blinkend sind,
In denen ihr der Menschheit Schnitzel kraeuselt,
Sind unerquicklich wie der Nebelwind,
Der herbstlich durch die duerren Blactter saeuselt."
That is the trouble with many of these orations, more wind than thought.