15 JUNE 1872, Page 22

The Spoken Word ; or, the Art of Extemporary Speaking.

By the Rev. Thomas J. Potter (Dublin : M'Glashan and Gill).—The author of this book fills the office of "Professor of Sacred Eloquence " in a Roman Catholic College, and we may safely assume that he has applied a prac- tical test to his advice on the subject of extemporary preaching. We cannot say, however, that there is much novelty in his suggestions. That preachers should think out their sermons thoroughly before composing, that they should pay great attention to order and arrangment, and that they should address themselves to whatever audience they happen to have, are not very original ideas. Still, Mr. Potter has evidently followed his own advice as to thinking out his subject, and has studied the works of other men who have written upon it, while he writes pleasantly and to the purpose.