The Art of Story-Telling by Richard Steele
THE ART OF STORY-TELLING By Richard Steele ToM LIZARD told us a story the other day, of some persons which our family know very well, with so much humour and life, that it caused a great deal of mirth at the tea-table. His brother Will, the Templar, was highly delighted with it, and the next day being with some of his Inns of Court acquaintance resolved (whether out of the benevolence, or the pride of his heart, I will not determine) to entertain them with what he called "a pleasant humour enough." I was in great pain for him when I heard him begin, and was not at all surprised to find the company very little moved by it. Will blushed, looked round the room, and with a forced laugh, " Faith, gentlemen," said he, "I do not know what makes you look so grave, it was an admirable story when I heard it." When I came home I fell into a profound contemplation upon story-telling, and as I have nothing so much at heart as the good of my country, I r