Here circumstances must govern. _The most approved method is to fix the
thoughts clearly in mind, and to trust to the time of speaking for
exact phraseology._ This method requires, however, that the speaker
rehearse his speech over and over again, changing the form of the words
frequently, so as to acquire facility in the use of language.
_The great objection to memoriter speaking is that it limits and
handicaps the speaker._ He is like a schoolboy "saying his piece." He is
in constant danger of running off the prescribed track and of having to
begin again at some definite point.
The most effective speaker to-day is the one who can think clearly and
promptly on his feet, and can speak from his personality rather than
from his memory. Untrammelled by manuscript or effort of memory, he
gives full and spontaneous expression to his powers. On the other hand,
a speech from memory is like a recitation, almost inevitably stilted
and artificial in character.