for feeling. A blow that would kill a civilized man soon heals on a savage. The

higher we go in the scale of life, the greater is the capacity for suffering.

 

For one reason or another, some master-speakers never entirely overcome

stage-fright, but it will pay you to spare no pains to conquer it. Daniel

Webster failed in his first appearance and had to take his seat without

finishing his speech because he was nervous. Gladstone was often troubled with

self-consciousness in the beginning of an address. Beecher was always perturbed

before talking in public.

 

Blacksmiths sometimes twist a rope tight around the nose of a horse, and by thus

inflicting a little pain they distract his attention from the shoeing process.

One way to get air out of a glass is to pour in water.

 

_Be Absorbed by Your Subject_

 

Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel

deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little else.

Concentration is a process of distraction from less important matters. It is too

late to think about the cut of your coat when once you are upon the platform, so

centre your interest on what you are about to say--fill your mind with your

speech-material and, like the infilling water in the glass, it will drive out

your unsubstantial fears.

 

Self-consciousness is undue consciousness of self, and, for the purpose of