When she found out that I had some inclination in this direction, she gave me private lessons in the matter of breathing, emphasis, and articulation.

Simply to be able to talk in public for the sake of talking has never had the least attraction to me.

In fact, I consider that there is nothing so empty and unsatisfactory as mere abstract public speaking; but from my early childhood I have had a desire to do something to make the world better, and then to be able to speak to the world about that thing.
The debating societies at Hampton were a constant source of delight to me.

These were held on Saturday evening; and during my whole life at Hampton I do not recall that I missed a single meeting.

I not only attended the weekly debating society, but was instrumental in organizing an additional society.