and ending, the opening and closing sentences.  Practised speakers are more likely not to fix too rigidly in their minds any set way for starting to speak.  They realize that a too carefully prepared opening will smack of the study.  The conditions under which the speech is actually delivered may differ so widely from the anticipated surroundings that a speaker should be able to readjust his ideas instantly, seize upon any detail of feeling, remark, action, which will help him into closer communication with his audience.  Many practised speakers, therefore, have at their wits’ ends a dozen different manners, so that their appearance may fit in best with the circumstances, and their remarks have that air of easy spontaneity which the best speaking should have.  Thus, sometimes, the exactly opposite advice of the method described above and in Chapter II is given.  A speaker will prepare carefully his speech proper, but leave to circumstances the suggestion of the beginning he will use.  This does not mean that he will not be prepared—­it means that he will be all the more richly furnished with expedients.  A speaker should carefully think over all the possibilities under which his speech will be brought forward, then prepare the best introduction to suit each set.

Spirit of the Introduction.  The combination of circumstances and material will determine what we shall call the spirit of the introduction.  In what spirit is the introduction treated?  There are as many different treatments as there are human feelings and sentiments.  The spirit may be serious, informative, dignified, scoffing, argumentative, conversational, startling, humorous, ironic.  The student should lengthen this list by adding as many other adjectives as he can.

The serious treatment is always effective when it is suitable.  There is a conviction of earnestness and sincerity about the speech of a man who takes his subject seriously.  Without arousing opposition by too great a claim of importance for his topic he does impress its significance upon listeners.  This seriousness must be justified by the occasion.  It must not be an attempt to bolster up weakness of ideas or commonplaceness of expression.  It must be straightforward, manly, womanly.  Notice the excellent effect of the following which illustrates this kind of treatment.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR:  I was desired by one of the court to look into the books, and consider the question now before them concerning Writs of Assistance.  I have accordingly considered it, and appear not only in obedience to your order, but likewise in behalf of the inhabitants of this town, who have presented another petition, and out of regard to the liberties of the subject.  And I take this opportunity to declare, that whether under a fee or not (for in such a cause as this I despise a fee) I will to my dying day oppose with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand and