The Strand Magazine, Vol. 27, February 1904, No. 159.Various
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 27, February 1904, No. 159.
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
A number of individual styles remain to be mentioned. When the Prime
Minister speaks we are conscious of listening to a great personality.
His voice fills the chamber, and yet it is not a big, robust organ.
It has that undefinable something in its timbre which one listens
for in a first-class baritone's singing. It has the carrying quality
in a great degree, and needs but little exertion because of the
perfect articulation to which it gives sound. Mr. Balfour seldom
speaks rapidly, and when he pauses abruptly his hearers may expect to
receive a smart epigram, an ingeniously-turned phrase, or a surprising
application of an interruption. He is one of the keenest fencers in the
House, delighting to make even a small point against his opponents,
though it be at the expense of a great deal of elaboration. He is a
skilful reasoner--a dialectician of the highest order. These qualities
naturally infer variety in speech, and Mr. Balfour's elocution, in the
modern sense of the word, responds to the various moods efficiently,
and yet without much overstraining. The note on which he does most
speaking is somewhere between D and E, but he frequently ranges the
octave from G to G.
[Music: Rᵗ. Hon. G. Wyndham]
Mr. George Wyndham, whose name has been cursed and blessed by Irish
Nationalists, has great gifts of eloquence and a powerful, clear voice,
which he uses with great effect. His delivery seems to improve each
Session. The progress of the Irish Land Bill through the House last
Session showed him to be master of the most intricate details of his
subject, and his lucid expositions gained the admiration of all who
heard him. D is the note on which he most frequently speaks, and the
diagram illustrates a passage from his speech on the second reading of
the Land Bill.
[Music: Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman]
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman makes himself heard to some effect by
means of clear utterance rather than strong tones. Notwithstanding an
occasional huskiness he is a pleasant speaker, and the English he uses
in debate is above reproach. He is usually heard on E.
[Music: Rᵗt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain]
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