Tea at Trianon: General Suggestions for Conversation

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Thursday, February 14, 2008

General Suggestions for Conversation

Below are more suggestions from the Ethel Cotton's Course on Conversation, Lesson No. 1, some of which could apply to writing as well as to conversing, as quaint as they may seem. I would add that if a person aspires to improve their speaking and writing abilities, they must be very careful what they put into their mind. It might be good not to have a constant diet of pop culture, be it on television or the internet or printed material. Just because certain television shows, blogs, books or magazines are popular does not mean that they are worthy of imitation. There are some aspects of pop culture that are creative and inspiring, but much is infested with banality and mediocrity. So a person should be careful what they read, and what they watch, if they want want to have a unique and effective writing style, as well as become a deft conversationalist. (I say these things as one who myself seeks to learn and to improve.) At any rate, it is a good idea to read classic literature and watch clever dramas whenever possible.

To continue with Lesson No. 1:

Encourage the clever. Many very intelligent individuals purposely talk commonplace to avoid the appearance of egotism. With encouragement, however, they may contribute much of interest and value. When you know a person is particularly gifted in certain ways or has had unusual experiences, lead him to talk about them.

The place does not matter as much as the people. You will find that the dinner table, a yachting trip, or a beach picnic are all excellent places in which to discuss interesting questions. In fact, wherever there is conversational guidance, stimulating thoughts may germinate which will add to the pleasure and inspiration of the morrow....

Vocabulary: ...As your ideas become more varied and interesting your vocabulary grows apace. You acquire abundant reserve of words to clothe your thoughts fittingly.

The most interesting as well as the simplest way of increasing your vocabulary is to note words which are used too often, substituting other words for them. Take the word "nice" for instance. We have "nice" weather, "nice" people, "nice" jobs, "nice" clothes, until "nice" loses all its personality and descriptive qualities. Drop "nice" out of your vocabulary entirely. Whenever you start to use it, decide to substitute another word which clearly expresses your meaning. For example, say invigorating weather, intelligent people, creative jobs, smart clothes.

Apply this principle to all over-worked words and phrases whether you use them yourself or hear them used....

Slang expressions have no value to you unless you originate them. Create your own phrases if you would become a distinctive speaker. Above all, avoid trite, commonplace words and phrases which have long since lost their color or meaning.

Voice Culture: ...Many fine ideas have fallen on deaf ears because of a monotonous or harsh speaking voice. For this reason your voice plays a very important part in conversation....

Diction: Unless you enunciate clearly, pronounce accurately, and choose distinctive expressions for your thoughts, you suffer a needless conversational handicap....

Carve your words. Slurring speech is one of the worst habits of the average person. Especially is this true in connection with the final consonants which often are permitted to merge with the word following....

~ The Ethel Cotton Course in Conversation, Lesson No.1. Chicago: Conversation Studies, 1949, pp. 10, 19-21