The principles of the art of conversation / by J.P. Mahaffy.

Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles of the art of conversation / by J.P. Mahaffy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    or (^) Mental, viz. (i) Knowledge, which may be either General (books, men), or Special (great topics, the topic of the day). (2) Quickness. or (7) Moral, viz. (i) Modesty. (2) Simplicity—digression on Shy- ness and Reserve. (3) Unselfishness. (4) Sympathy. (5) Tact. Digression as regards Conditions— (a) too general—Moral Worth and Truthfulness. (jS) too special—Wit and Humour. Objective Conditions, (B) in the hearers, which are either in— (1) Quantity, for we speak with (a) one, (|3) a few, (7) many. (2) Quality, for we speak with (a) equals, (/3) supe- riors, (7) inferiors. (3) Differences (A) of age, (i) older, (2) younger, (3) equal; (B), of sex—men and women. (4) Degrees of Intimacy, (a) relations, (^) friends, (7) acquaintances (familiar, slight). II. The Matter of Conversation, or (C) The Topics, which are either— In Quantity—infinite. In Quality—serious or trivial. In Relation—personal or general. (D) The handling of the Topics must be either- Deliberative, or by all the company. Controversial, or by two speakers. Epideictic, or by one. Epilogue.