Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Southland Times, Issue 1321, 14 October 1870, Page 3

Public Speaking. — Apropos of public speakers, Dr said that Sir Bulwer Lytton asked him (I think the anecdote was personal to himself) whether he felt his heart beat when he was going to speak. " Yes." " Does your voice frighten you ?" "Yes." "Do all your ideas forsake you?" "Yes." Do you wish the floor to open and swallow you ?" j "Yes." "Why, then, you'll make an | orator." Dr told of Canning, too, how once, before rising to speak in the House of Commons, he bade his friend feel his pulse, which was throbbing terrifically. " I know I shall make one of my best speeches," said Canning, " because I'm in such an awful funk !" President Pierce, who has a great deal of oratorical power, is subject to a similar horror and repugnance. — Nathaniel Hawthorne' 8 Note Book. Amebicans Proposing to Purchase Me Dickens's House. — It is stated that in anticipation of Mr Dickens's residence being sold, an American gentleman has already offered the sum of £20,000 for it. The hope is, however, strongly expressed that the house and grounds at Gadshill may be purchased by the public. The corporation of Rochester, it is thought, will take the lead in this movement, as it ib fitting they should.