Elocution.

Mr. Jones' announcement that he will undertake an advanced course in elocution is of interest to a considerable number of upper-class men, especially those who entered the Boylston prize speaking last spring. The work of the class is to consist of readings from Shakespeare once a week, (Those who remember the character interpretation of Macbeth in Eng. 9 last year, will appreciate this,) and of public declamations fortnightly. This latter plan of frequent public declamations is an experiment at Harvard, but it has been tried with marked success by at least one other college, and bids fair to yield practical results here. The advanced course is a voluntary one, both with student and instructor, and will be limited to about twenty members.

A general word about elocution may not be out of place in this connection. This year there will be about twenty-five men drawn from the upper classes who will take the regular instruction-a half course-in this subject given by the college. More would like to take up the study, but can not, owing to the limited opportunities offered.

A large part of the class of '84 entered the Law School this year. We venture to assert that out of this number fully one half could not hold the interest of a jury of their intellectual inferiors in a speech on any subject of half an hour's length; and that simply because they are lacking in some or all the requisites to speech-making, of a good voice, good enunciation, and a good presence. Yet, if these men are to become anything but mere office-lawyers they must acquire these things, and acquire them by the hardest sort of work. The question is pertinent why are not such men permitted, if they desire, to acquire the use of the tools of their trade in their college years, when acquisition would be so much easier ? So far as it goes, the instruction offered in elocution is excellent. The one regular course embraces a study of the construction of the vocal organs and of their proper use in speaking and declaiming. The physical defects of an untrained voice are thus corrected, and it is made to become stronger, better modulated, and more resonant. As much attention, too, as possible is paid to delivery. All this, however, is only an attempting the right direction. The subject is worth more than a half course, and requires more. The success of the voluntary advanced course will do much to convince the authorities of the sentiment of the students.