Congress. That is one of the romantic subjects; it is interesting to compare the 'clippers' of old with the racing yachts of to-day.

"Most girls enjoy learning about interesting things when they are not conscious they are being instructed.

"When we talk about the drama of to-day I shall have photographs of the leading lights in the dramatic world.

"My aim having these talks for—or with— debutantes is not to tell them what to think on any subject, but to carry out the thought with which Demosthenes used to conclude his orations, 'I beg of you to think.'"

"I beg of you to think." If you do, and if you act as well, any young man or woman, either in town or country, can readily do what this lady is doing in New York.

In practising conversation, don't make the mistake of being always serious or solemn. Conversation is not preaching, although some people seem to think it is. They are always delivering monologues, little preachments; they can not, seemingly, talk in any other way. They have an idea that conversation must always and everywhere be a serious educative matter, that people should converse only to improve their minds, to increase their knowledge, that there should be no frivolity or lightness about it. One might just as well say people should go to theaters only to improve their

minds; that they must not go for enjoyment, for the purpose of being entertained. A monotonous, heavy conversation has about the same effect upon the mind as the resting of the eye for a long time upon a single solid color, like red or green. The monotony tires the nerves of the eye and the brain, and as the constant changing of color, the variety that passes before the eye, rests it so is the changing of the tone of conversation from grave to gay, from serious to light and playful, restful to the mind.

A popular society woman counseling a debutante protegee on behavior is quoted as saying, "Talk, talk, talk. It does not matter much what you say, but chatter away lightly and gaily. Nothing embarrasses and bores the average man so much as a girl who has to be entertained."

Light, frothy talk can hardly be called conversation, but it has its uses and is very valuable on occasion. It relieves monotony, and in any event, provided it is not ill-natured, is better than an awkward, embarrassing silence. The touch and go of society talkers, the small talk of social intercourse, has its place in the repertory of the skilled conversationalist as well as more serious subjects.

What has been said of pudding,—that it is not so much the flour and eggs as the sugar and spices and extracts that make it pleasant to the taste,— may be said with equal truth of conversation. It is not so much the flour and eggs, the solid facts,

as the light touch, the quick retort, the apt illustration, the pleasant voice and gracious manner that make conversation charming and entertaining.

A good conversationalist is not too serious. He does not deal too much with facts, no matter how important. Facts, statistics, weary. Vivacity is absolutely necessary. Heavy conversation bores; too light disgusts.

While conversation is not "swapping stories," practice much in vogue among Americans, a fund of anecdotes, apt and to the point, are a great aid in brightening talk or in illustrating a point one wishes to make.

Lincoln was master of the art of using anecdotes with telling effect. He knew the value of a hearty laugh in melting reserve and putting those he was talking to on a more intimate and familiar footing. He put people at ease with his stories and jokes, and made them feel so completely at home in his presence that they opened up their mental treasures to him without reserve. Strangers were always glad to talk with him because he was so cordial, quaint, and always gave more than he got.

To make yourself interesting and to hold attention, you must enter into the life of the people you are conversing with, and touch them along the lines of their interest. No matter how much you may know about a subject if it does not happen to interest those to whom you are talking, your efforts will be largely lost. The best conversa

tionalists are always tactful—interesting without offending. Neither do they stab people, hurt their feelings, or drag out their family skeletons, for the sake of making a witty remark.

To listen courteously and give others a chance to express themselves is as much a part of conversation as talking. The most popular conversationalist is the one who gives others a chance to reply. To be a good listener is a cardinal point in good manners, and will win more laurels than the most elaborate one-sided discourse. Indeed, the man or woman who monopolizes the talk—a monologue can't be called conversation-is the most dreaded of all bores. Even one's best friend grows tiresome when the talk is one-sided; when it does not permit an interchange of ideas, which is the very essence of conversation.

"I believe that the use of the human voice in speaking," said Lady Henry Somerset, the wellknown prohibition platform lecturer, "is as much an art as the use of the voice in singing." This is as true of the voice in conversation in the drawingroom or social circle as in speaking on the platform.

A discordant voice would seriously mar the most interesting conversation. There is nothing more disagreeable than a harsh, disagreeable voice, unless it be the high-pitched, nasal intonation, so characteristic of Americans, or the whine which is frequently heard from people who are narrowminded and discontented. A low, clear, well-modu

lated voice indicates refinement, and should be carefully cultivated by the person who wishes to make a good impression in speaking. The American-speaking voice especially needs to be trained.

"I will grant each of you one wish,' assented Fate to three women," wrote Minna Thomas Antrin, in a magazine article.

" 'I choose beauty,' exclaimed the youngest. 'Give me power,' said another.

"And to me a low, persuasive voice,' the last murmured.

"Each had her will. ruined by an accident.

The beauty of the first las

The power of the secon.

But the third woman kept

lasted but one season.

her talisman through a long life, and from it came many things, among them power."