Speech-making, is a bugbear for nearly every one who is
not either a lawyer or a politician. But there is almost sure to come a moment in the life of each of us7--at a lecture, at a dinner, at a bazaar—when a speech of some sort has to be made. And then what on earth are we to say P At this point Mr. Charles Seymour steps, forward and solves our difficulties with his Outlines of Speeches for Social, Political, and other Occasions (Simpkin. Marshall, and Co., 21s. net). If, to take an instance, fate has decreed that we must open a public building, we turn to p. 74 and begin without hesitation :— " Ladies and Gentlemen,—It cannot be otherwise than a source of great satisfaction to all of us that the occasion has at length arrived when it is our united pleasure to inaugurate the new Institute [or Gymnasium, Swimming Bath, Club House, or other building of public usefulness]."
Supposing, again, that it falls to our lot to ceturn thanks after a toast of " The House of Lords " has been given. On p. 48 we shall find several helpful suggestions such as this :- "I rejoice to say that evidence abounds on all sides that the great mass of the people are not unmindful of the good work which the House of Lords performs, and of the legislative ideals it aspires to maintain."
Finally, when at a wedding-breakfast we are called on to propose the health of the bridesmaids, we shall be able, with Mr. Seymour's help (p. 26), to rise to the following heights of eloquence :— " We can never forget the beautiful vision of the Bride as she passed along on her roseate way towards the fortunate man in whom she has placed her confidence; and the spectacle of the sweet young ladies who accompanied her will ever remain a no less cherished remembrance."
These quotations are enough to show the various uses of Mr. Seymour's handbook.
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