The Art of Public Speaking - The Original Classic Edition. Esenwein Dale

the rainbow's rim,

       Musical cherub, soar, singing, away! Then, when the gloaming comes, Low in the heather blooms,

       Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be! Emblem of happiness,

       Blest is thy dwelling-place.

       Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!

       --James Hogg.

       In joyous conversation there is an elastic touch, a delicate stroke, upon the central ideas, generally following a pause. This elastic touch adds vivacity to the voice. If you try repeatedly, it can be sensed by feeling the tongue strike the teeth. The entire absence of elastic touch in the voice can be observed in the thick tongue of the intoxicated man. Try to talk with the tongue lying still in the bottom of the mouth, and you will obtain largely the same effect. Vivacity of utterance is gained by using the tongue to strike off the emphatic idea with a decisive, elastic touch.

       Deliver the following with decisive strokes on the emphatic ideas. Deliver it in a vivacious manner, noting the elastic touch-action of the tongue. A flexible, responsive tongue is absolutely essential to good voice work.

       FROM NAPOLEON'S ADDRESS TO THE DIRECTORY ON HIS RETURN FROM EGYPT