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policeman on the corner is blowing his whistle for the wagons, automobiles, and people to stop or cross. He looks as if he would be run over, but everything passes without touching him. Now a wagon is completely on the track, and a car four yards behind it. The motorman slows down and waits for the driver to get off the track. He removes himself at his ease, and does n't seem the least bit excited. It makes me feel as if I am hardly anything on these crowded streets.

In the building I can hear the grain dealers screaming and shouting at the top of their voices. It sounds as if there are wild animals or a stampede of some sort inside. There are so many newsboys that I get tired of hearing "Papers, Chicago Tribune, Herald," or "Latest reports of the markets. A rise in hogs." I see one little boy with his coat worn through at the elbows, his stockings all torn, and his feet peeping through his shoes, who seems to be shunned by everyone, but still he hurries along with the crowd.

A coachman is driving by now. He wears a silk hat, a black sleek suit, and high boots. It seems as if the best of care is taken of the horse and coach, for they are black and glossy. The lady in the carriage is dressed in a beautiful gown, and I imagine her, pretty wealthy, going to some reception or party.

I cannot see all of the sights at once, nor imagine where all of this throng of people are going.

EXERCISE 2 Oral

CHOOSING A SUBJECT

If you had to talk or write on five of the following subjects, which should you choose? On how many of them should you have something to say? About which do you know too little to speak or write sensibly?

1. Patience.

2. A Landslide.

3. My Trip to the City.

4. The Canals on Mars.

5. An Upset.

6. Canoeing in England.
7. Ascending Pikes Peak.

8. The Supernatural in " Macbeth.”

9. Loading an Ocean Steamer.

10. Making Maple Syrup.

11. Why I Like "Treasure Island."

12. Justice and Mercy.
13. A Day in the Field.
14. Caught in a Shower.
15. My First Party.
16. A Visit.

17. Keeping House.
18. A Fire.

19. A Parade.

20. A Shopping Trip.
21. Swimming.

22. My Favorite Tree.

23. Behind the Bars.

24. Liberty and Equality.

EXERCISE 3

Oral or Written

SPEAKING AND WRITING ON A FAMILIAR SUBJECT

Speak or write on one or more of the preceding subjects, as your teacher may direct. Tell the things that make your experience different from that of any one else. Write as if you were talking. Put your work into good form, according to your teacher's directions.

EXERCISE 4 - Oral

SUBJECTS OF CONVERSATION

Read the following paragraphs suggested by a passage in a well-known story and then notice before your next lesson what people talk about, what you yourself talk about. Bring to class several topics that are interesting to you, no matter how "common" they may be.

Nancy was struggling with the difficulties of composition writing. Miss Lawrence gave her all the time-honored subjects of her own youthful essays – Peace on Earth, The Horrors of War, Napoleon, Justice, True Riches, Anger; but somehow with one of these titles before her, all Nancy's efforts could produce only a few musty sentences. After she had inscribed "Anger" in neat handwriting at the top of a page, all her vivacious little personality seemed to congeal somewhere above her finger-tips.

"Write as you talk," Miss Lawrence feebly quoted.

"But, dear me, Miss Lawrence, I could n't talk about Peace on Earth and Napoleon not more than a sentence, anyway; because I never do, you know; not even about anger, though goodness knows I ought to know something about that."

I suppose you don't need practice in things you do talk about," hesitated Miss Lawrence. ". And, anyway," she added more confidently, "those things are too common for compositions."

EXERCISE 5 - Oral

TWO KINDS OF INSINCERITY

Compare the following piece of a composition written by a real "Nancy" with the newspaper account of an evening entertainment. Why could not Nancy be sincere in writing about "Human Barriers"? Why is the newspaper article so glaringly insincere? That is, which shows insincerity of ignorance, and which insincerity of purpose? Point out specific defects in sincerity.

HUMAN BARRIERS

Nearly every existing life is blighted more or less by some kind of opposition. In some lives promoting development, while in others it is degrading.

Barriers develop from every source. If they are not overcome but left to take their course they will in turn become masters of their subjects. They make themselves shown in all lines of occupation and in all shades of life; yet even this is needed for some to make a partial success. No one can escape the trials and temptations of life but should accept them with a determination for the right. The birds of the air become the prey of larger birds or the victim of the hunter's careful aim; just so we have our obstacles to overcome.

NEWSY NOTES FROM WIDE-AWAKE WILSON

WILSON, March 30 (Special).—The at home given last evening in the superb and palatial home of our eminent and highly distinguished townsman, the Hon. Fred A. Woodcock, in honor of the cultured and eloquent Mrs. Gross, wife of that able jurist Judge Gross, and her brilliant and beautiful daughter, the fascinating Miss Lois Gross, was one of the most brilliant and magnificent entertainments ever given in Wilson. As is well known, this charming and beautiful home is the genuine shrine of the most exquisite and princeliest hospitality, but on this resplendent occasion the glittering acme of the finest social function was reached, for refined tact and exquisite taste and excellent judgment and ample means contributed their richest and rarest gifts to make that lovely scene a rhythmic poem of beauty and enchantment. There were gleams of humor as cheering as the dripping of moonbeams upon the quiet bosom of a sleeping lake, not rippling but ensilvering the dreaming water; there were flashes of sparkling wit as brilliant as the dazzling lightnings when writing in glittering pencilings upon the darkest clouds the grandeur and omnipotence of Jehovah; there were peals of laughter as musical as the wordless songs of rippling brooks journeying to their home in the sea; there were faces as sweet and luscious and as tempting as strawberries floating in stainless saucers of richest cream; there were eyes as radiant and as sparkling as those glittering gems that adorn the bosom of the sky, and rob the night of its gloom by brightening the shadows with the silveriest tintings of richest lustre. Yea, these are a few of the many seductive witcheries which wreathed with garlands of rapture the countenances of the guests.

The two specimens given in Exercise 5 illustrate another important aspect of insincerity, besides showing that it may proceed either from ignorance of the subject or from intent to flatter or deceive. This other important aspect is the part that words play in the effect of sincerity. Even if the reporter had meant all his praise honestly, we should find it hard to accept it as sincere when it is written in such a style. The high-school student who wrote on "Human Barriers" was struggling not only with a subject about which she knew little.

but also with the false notion that she must use words rather impressive and only half understood. If she had stopped to think she would have known that blighting can never promote the development of anything; that barriers do not develop; that source, overcome, take their course, become masters, all suggest different and incongruous pictures. She should have asked what a shade of life is; and how the devouring of one bird by another, or the hunter's careful aim, could be called an obstacle. If we are to make any true impression on our readers, what we write must not only be our own but seem so; and therefore we must make not only our subject but also our words our own.

Following are two examples of sincere and great writing. Each writer means what he says, and says it, never stopping to think whether the word he uses is large or small, if it fits his thought. If he wanted to speak of supper, he would not call it evening meal; nor would he pick up worn-out phrases like the common walks of life or festive throng any more than he would wear clothes from a secondhand shop. His words, like his thoughts, are his own.

The first example is the closing paragraph of Webster's reply to Hayne, a powerful speech delivered before the United States Senate at a time of high excitement when many people thought the Union was in danger. Webster loved the Union and the flag which stands for the Union-that gorgeous ensign of the republic. Twenty-two years later as he lay dying, he watched the flag floating on the flagstaff outside his window. It was still undishonored, for he died before the Civil War drenched the land in fraternal blood. These are his words :

When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of a once glorious Union: on States dissevered,

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