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And then too the modulation of voice gives power to the words, which type can never produce. But the greatest advantage is the feeling that can be transposed from the speaker to the hearer, not only by words but by the expression of his voice, eyes, face & action. Often have the tears been caused to flow by the mere expression of the countenance. Many a speaker, "by the very mesmerism of his own heart power, has raised dead words from the ground, & made them electrify a great audience with their startling life"
At the great Peace Congress in Paris in 1849 where French, English, Americans, Germans, Spanish & Italians were assembled, to discuss topics of vital importance to each, a remarkable instance of this occurred. A certain writer relates it thus: Those of us especially who had labored for months to bring about this great reunion, were much exercised with doubt as to the result of assembling within the same walls, & on the same platform hearers & speakers who did not understand each others language. This doubt was increased by the apprehension of one or two French members of the Committee of Arrangements, that many of their countrymen, after listening for a few minutes to an English speech they could not understand, would arise and leave the house out of sheer weariness of mind. Richard Cobden was the only Eng. speaking member who could address the assembly in French, So, when our first orator arose to speak, we watched from the platform the faces of the French auditors with lively concern. It was the Rev John Burnett of London, a man of much genius and power as a speaker with a flow and a glow of rich Irish wit & accent, which always made him a great favorite at home. He had not proceeded a minute before we could perceive the action of the subtle force of sympathy on the French portion of the assembly. Although not one in ten could understand the meaning of his words