The Master's Voice

Winston Churchill pursued an annual practice last week, rode down into the City to speak at the Lord Mayor's inauguration in London's Mansion House. His speech was not one of the great Churchill feats, but some of its phrasing had the master's touch:

"... That gallant old eagle, Mr. Hull . . . flew far on a strong wing. . . . No airy visions, no party doctrines or party prejudices, no political appetites or vested interests must stand in the way of providing before the end of the war for food, work and homes. . . . Unless the hand of Providence is stretched forth by some crowning mercy, 1944 will see the greatest sacrifice of life. . . . British and American manhood, striving in generous emulation, true brothers in arms, will attack and grapple with the deadly foe. ... I say that our supreme duty--all of us, British and American alike--is to preserve that good will which now exists throughout the English-speaking world and thus aid our armies in their grim and heavy task. . . ."-

Genius on the Run. As long as the English language lives, its users will be reminded that Winston Churchill said: "... I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. . . . Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. . . . We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. ... I have not become the King's First Minister in order to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire. . . ."

Unlike Franklin Roosevelt, who pores over and polishes one draft after another, Churchill, often chisels the splendid phrase as he speaks. In preparation, Churchill dictates ideas directly to a typist (who uses a machine with very large type). These notes frame what he intends to say, but they are no more than a frame. Once on his feet he improvises, digresses, shapes his points as he rolls along.

In delivery he grunts ("and-ah"), gropes for the next phrase, glares at his notes (if he is using them at all), peers pugnaciously over his big-rimmed spectacles, often (if he is not holding notes) thumbs his lapels. He rarely smiles; when he is amused the usual sign is a conspiratorial twinkling of his eyes. Usually, it is only after he is done that there can be an accurate written version. Whether heard or read, that version usually is a work of statesman's art.

*Without benefit of the thunderous phrase, Churchill also said that: The Russian advance was the outstanding event of the year; the French National Committee is trustee, not owner, of title deeds to France; the Germans continue to fight with veteran skill and must be defeated at the fronts; the British Empire has an "inexpiable quarrel" with Japan; and next year's elections in the U.S. are of interest to all the Allies.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.