However, I know a lady who possesses
a powerful, masculine voice, and who is a very popular speaker,
but she is an exception. Anyhow I believe the worst speaker,
male or female, could improve by practising private declamation,
and awakening to the importance of articulation, modulation, and -- the pause.
Another class of social functions are "At Homes", tea parties, and receptions.
The number of guests invited to these is almost unlimited,
it may be one or two dozen, or one or two dozen hundreds.
The purpose of these is usually to meet some distinguished stranger,
some guest in the house, or the newly married daughter of the hostess.
It is impossible for the host or hostess to remember all those who attend,
or even all who have been invited to attend; generally visitors
leave their cards, although many do not even observe this rule,
but walk right in as if they owned the house. When a newcomer is introduced
his name is scarcely audible, and before the hostess,
or the distinguished guest, has exchanged more than one or two words with him,
another stranger comes along, so that it is quite excusable
if the next time the hosts meet these people they do not recognize them.
In China a new fashion is now in vogue; new acquaintances exchange cards.
If this custom should be adopted in America there would be less complaints
about new friends receiving the cold shoulder from those who they thought
should have known them.
In large receptions, such as those mentioned above, however spacious
the reception hall, in a great many instances there is not even standing room
for all who attend.
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