Annals are usually historical facts arranged in a chronological order.

Memoirs are the most noteworthy and important facts, usually, in connection with the life of the writer or falling under his personal observation. They are less dignified than history. They are mainly reminiscences, and may therefore be related in a less dignified style.

Biography is the history of an individual. It differs from history in being limited to a less extended field, while history, on the other hand, deals with the public life of a nation.

An Autobiography is a biography of a person written by himself.

9. FICTION.

A work of fiction is a story of the lives of imaginary persons. It may deal with real men and women, but when it does so, it uses fictitious names, and does not pretend to give their actual conversations and doings.

The aims of fiction are various. Sometimes, as in Scott's historical novels, it is to teach history; sometimes it is to expose social vices, as in most of Dickens' novels; and in some cases to enforce moral or religious truths, as in the novels of E. P. Roe and in most Sundayschool stories.

The chief classes of fictitious literature are Novels and Romances. The latter are regarded as a class of fiction which deals with the more extravagant incidents and sentiments of life. Present writers, however, make but little distinction between the two classes.

A dialogue is a fictitious conversation between two or more persons.

The essentials to success in a good work of fiction are a good plot or chain of incidents and a striking and lifelike portraiture of character. These both are important, that the interest of the reader may be raised to the proper pitch and be maintained throughout.

10. DISCOURSES.

A Discourse is a composition intended to be spoken or read to the persons addressed, instead of being read by them.

Kinds of Discourse.—The principal kinds of discourse are Orations, Addresses, Speeches, Lectures, Sermons.

1. Orations. An Oration is a discourse of the most dignified and elaborate kind.

The subject is usually some important person or event; as, Everett's oration on "Washington"; Webster's oration on “Liberty and Union"; Burke's "Impeachment of Hastings."

Sometimes the term is applied to the graduating and other speeches of students at school, but hardly with propriety, as the oration is a production of such an order that it is beyond the reach of any but the most finished speakers.

Parts of an Oration.—The parts of an oration are1. The introduction; 2. The discussion; 3. The conclusion or peroration.

1. The object of the introduction is mainly to gain the attention and good-will of the audience, and put it in a condition to listen to argument.

The following suggestions are given without argument. as essential to a good introduction :

a. An introduction should be easy and graceful. b. It should be modest, not promising too much.

c. It must not be characterized by vehemence or passion. d. It should not anticipate any material part of the discussion. e. It should be adapted in length and character to the discourse to follow.

2. The discussion, or main part of the discourse, should be thorough. No definite rules can be given for the method of treatment for every subject, but the following general suggestions may be of use:

a. Only such arguments should be selected as are strong and convincing.

b. In arguments of varying strength begin and close with some of the strongest.

c. Arguments must not be too frequently repeated or too greatly expanded.

3. The conclusion or peroration of the discourse should leave a strong impression. It should, therefore, be prepared with special care. Sometimes this is done by giving a brief summary, and sometimes by a neatly-turned sentence which sums up the most powerful arguments previously advanced. But, however done, it should always be done in such an effective way as to win immediate recognition from the audience as being well done.

The ancients divided orations into three classes:

1. Demonstrative, the object of which was to praise or to censure. These were chiefly panegyrics, eulogies, and funeral

orations.

2. Deliberative, the object of which was to persuade or advise. The subjects here discussed were war, finance, politics, and public improvement.

3. Judicial, the object of which was to accuse or defend. This kind of oratory was confined wholly to the courts of law.

QUALITIES ESSENTIAL TO AN ORATION.

From the nature of an oration it is evident that the style should be elevated. Ornament may be freely introduced, but it must be of the most exalted character. The following are among the most important essentials:

1. Direct Address.-Direct address must be employed, because the main object of the oration is an appeal to the audience. In addition to the directness of address, an oration must be adapted to the audience before whom it is to be delivered.

2. Unity. A formal address should have unity of subject. This does not prevent the speaker from discussing a variety of topics, but they must all have a direct bearing on the main topic.

3. Dignity. It is not inconsistent with the object of an oration to introduce both wit and humor, but neither should be permitted to detract from the general dignity demanded by every formal oration.

4. Ornament. As has been said, figurative language, but only of the most exalted kind, is conducive to oratory; but sense should not be sacrificed to sound, nor should ornament take the place of fact.

5. Energy. This is more necessary in an oration than in any other kind of discourse. The style of the orator should be such as to enable him to sway his audience at will, demanding and controlling. their sympathy with every sentiment expressed.

QUALIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL TO THE ORATOR.

1. A Thorough Knowledge of his Subject.-The greatest orators in all ages have been men of sound scholar

ship. This was true of Burke, Webster, Pitt, and others, especially in the topics which they chose as the subjects of their orations.

2. A Knowledge of Men.-Those who can best influence men are they who most thoroughly understand human nature. An orator must know what men's feelings are in order that he may know how to control them; and he is generally most successful in this direction who most closely studies men's minds.

3. Feeling. The most powerful orations are undoubtedly those in which the orator himself feels the importance of his work, and has full belief in the importance of the sentiments he expresses.

4. Self-Possession.-An orator must have confidence not only in the importance of the cause he presents, but also in himself as being able to present his sentiments in a fearless manner and yet with proper liberality.

2. Addresses.-An address is a discourse somewhat similar to an oration, but not of so high a character. Addresses may be of great variety and be delivered on any occasion.

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3. Speeches. A speech differs from an address only in the point that it is spoken, while an address may be either spoken or written.

Speeches may be delivered on all sorts of occasions. and on any topic whatever. Thus, we have political speeches, postprandial or after-dinner speeches, speeches to school-children, to town meetings, to legislative bodies,

etc.

Among these, the after-dinner speech, which should abound in wit and happy allusions, is one of the most