29 MAY 1897, Page 24

The Art of Extempore Speaking. By Harold Ford. (Elliot Stock.)—This

is a book of excellent advice. Think accurately, write constantly, master your subject,—these, and the like pre- cepts are explained and enforced. Of course, one does not learn to speak, or to swim, or to do anything out of a book. Yet books are useful for all who would practise an art. Some are capable of it without learning, some incapable, learn they as industliously as they may, but for the multitude of the indifferent Mr. Ford's instruction will be found serviceable.