quick, thick, and ungracefully, I will answer for it that Cicero would not have thought him worth the oration which he made in his favor. Words were given us to communicate our ideas by; and there must be something inconceivably absurd in uttering them in such a manner as that either people cannot understand them, or will not desire to understand them. I tell you truly and sincerely that I shall judge of your parts by your speaking gracefully or ungracefully. If you have parts, you will never be at rest till you have brought yourself to a habit of speaking most gracefully; for I aver that it is in your power. [Same date.]
Articulation.—You will take care to open your
teeth when you speak; to articulate every word distinctly;
and to beg of Mr. Harte, Mr. Eliot, or
whomever you speak to, to remind and stop you, if
ever you fall into the rapid and unintelligible mutter.
You will even read aloud to yourself, and tune
your utterance to your own ear; and read at first
much slower than you need to do, in order to correct
yourself of that shameful trick of speaking
faster than you ought.
Proper Carriage.—Next to graceful speaking,
a genteel carriage and a graceful manner of
presenting yourself are extremely necessary, for
