Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

50. HITTING A LAWYER ” Have you had a job today, Tim ?” inquired a well-known legal gentleman of the equally well-known, jolly, florid-faced old drayman, who, rain or shine, summer or winter, is rarely absent from his post. ” Bedad, I did, sor.” “How many?” ” Only two, sor.” ” How much did you […]

25. EXTREME ECONOMY [Economy is a great virtue, but it should not be extreme.] – An old lady of Massachusetts was famed in her native township for health and thrift. To an acquaintance who was once congratulating her upon the former she said: ” We be pretty well for old folks, Josiah and me. Josiah […]

With a number of the following anecdotes a few suggestions are given as to the manner in which they may be used. The habit of thinking how a good story may be brought into an address should be formed, after which these hints will be superfluous. At the outset they may help to form the […]

No matter how inexperienced a speaker may be or how stammering his utterance, if he can tell a good story, the average dinner party will pronounce him a success, and he will be able to resume his seat with a feeling of satisfaction. The efforts often made to bring in an entertaining story or a […]

The Introduction. The speaker’s modesty or inability, the lateness of the hour, the merit of preceding speeches, the literary treats that are to follow, the character of the dinner, personal allusion to the president or to the audience—but not all of these in one address. The Discussion. Here refer to the toast or theme—be sure […]

At a public meeting some one interested in the object for which it has convened calls the assembly to order. After securing attention he proposes the name of some person as chairman or president. When the nomination is seconded he takes the vote and announces the election. It will then be in order for the […]

No form of speech is so easy as a political address in a hot campaign. The people know enough of the general argument in advance, to appreciate a strong statement of it, or the addition of new items. They already have much of that interest in the theme that other classes of speakers must first […]

The great conventions that nominate candidates for the Presidency of the United States furnish examples on the largest scale of the nominating speech. But officers of societies of almost any character may be nominated in addresses that are very similar. The following outline of a speech of general character may be easily modified to suit […]

Every year new occasions arise that point to a new order of celebrations. Until recently there were no centennial celebrations. Once inaugurated these suggested semi-centennial and quarter-century ones, and as the country advanced in years there came the bicentennial and ter-centennial. And the attention of the civilized globe was called to our fourth-centennial by the […]

To a Fat Friend: May your shadow never grow less. May every Hair of your head be as a shining Candle to light you to glory. Long Life to our Friends: May the chicken never be hatched that will scratch on their graves. Confusion to the Early Bird: May it and the worm both be […]