One final word must be said about the introduction to the anecdote. A clumsy,

inappropriate introduction is fatal, whereas a single apt or witty sentence will

kindle interest and prepare a favorable hearing. The following extreme

illustration, by the English humorist, Captain Harry Graham, well satirizes the

stumbling manner:

 

The best story that I ever heard was one that I was told once in the fall of

1905 (or it may have been 1906), when I was visiting Boston--at least, I think

it was Boston; it may have been Washington (my memory is so bad).

 

I happened to run across a most amusing man whose name I forget--Williams or

Wilson or Wilkins; some name like that--and he told me this story while we were

waiting for a trolley car.

 

I can still remember how heartily I laughed at the time; and again, that

evening, after I had gone to bed, how I laughed myself to sleep recalling the

humor of this incredibly humorous story. It was really quite extraordinarily

funny. In fact, I can truthfully affirm that it is quite the most amusing story

I have ever had the privilege of hearing. Unfortunately, I've forgotten it.

 

_Biographical Facts_

 

Public speaking has much to do with personalities; naturally, therefore, the

narration of a series of biographical details, including anecdotes among the

recital of interesting facts, plays a large part in the eulogy, the memorial