A Boy Orator's Difficulty.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 420, 16 November 1889, Page 6

A Boy Orator's Difficulty.

Mr Chauncey Depew has lately receh ed a number of letters from young fellows ac school and college, nofc only within the United States, but in Canada, requesting advice as to study and speechmaking. Here is one that bears the impress of undoubted genuineness. It is given exactly as written, omitting name and address :— ' Honourable Sir, — I am a boy of fifteen years of age, and 1 read the "New York Tribune," and very much enjoy reading your fine speeches, which I would like to be able and competent to make .when I get a big man and go to public dinners. I never tried to make a speech, but once I wrote out one to make at our Sunday-school Missionary Society, and when I got up I forgot what 1 had to say and could nofc say ib, and the scholars all laughed at me, and so did the teachers, and the superintendent told me to learn it better next time, which is im-" possible, because I did know it all by heart but it went out of ray head. Now, dear honourable sir, will you give a young boy some good advice how to become a good man to make speeches, and especially how not to forget it when you try to remember it. My mouth also got very dry, Now, dear sir, excuse me for writing to you, as I do not know you, but a friend in need may do a boy much good, and therefore I hope you will pardon this liberty and kindly tell me how to become a good speaker. Hoping you will not be offended at me, your admiring friend, with respect.' 'I must see if I cannot find time to answer this letter,' said Mr Depew to an interviewer, ' for this young chap is in earnest, and I should like* fcto encourage him.'