did. She had provided the material for the sealing, but the

deceased had placed the wax in the candle and had pressed the seal in her presence. Counsel then turned to the Court and said: "Your worship, it is a wafer." This is the wafer in the case.

SUMMARY

Do not the citations given in this chapter show conclusively that modern and ancient modes of constructing orations are identical, and that it would be well for all who would attain distinction as speakers to study the means employed by those who have gone before? The author replies in the affirmative, and he reiterates his advice to all students of oratory to study faithfully the productions of the great orators of all times. In doing this, the student should be careful not to be a mere copyist; he must not make an echo of himself, repeating the forms of others, but he should study the principles underlying the arts of construction and delivery as employed by the masters who preceded him, and then apply the principles in his own individual manner. A student who is taught parrot fashion--that is, by imitation--will never equal his teacher, because he will lack the one great thing of value in every art--individuality; but one who is taught by principle, as well as by example, may far excel his preceptor. Issues and problems change, orators pass into the realm of shade; but the principles of oratory continue practically the same through all climes and ages.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV.