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CHAPTER VII.

OF ORATORY.

Difference between oratory and reasoning-The public speakers of Great Britain excellent reasoners-The orators few-Advantages of oratory —Consummate orators rare, but inferior degress of excellence honourable and useful—Observations of Mr. Hume the historian—Impediments to the advancement of eloquence-Inability of the speaker to deliver his sentiments rhetorically, and his local position to be reckoned among those impediments-Ordinary degree of progress in delivery--The finest field of eloquence open to the preacher-Great preachers— Ancient-Modern-French preachers-Eloquence more difficult to the English preacher-Probable causes of the paucity of English orators -The form of the pulpit considered-possibility of improving it.

CHAPTER VII.

Of Oratory.

ORATORY, which is public speaking on real and interesting occasions, is the most splendid object of all literary exertion, and the highest scope of all the study and practice of the art. To oratory belongs whatever the perfection of composition can produce, as well as all which the perfection of delivery can externally recommend and enforce. Oratory is the power of reasoning united to the various arts of persuasion, presented by external grace, and by the whole energy of the human powers.' Reasoning

• The power of eloquence is represented, as Lucian tells us, by the Gallic Hercules. This strong old man held his audience by chains of gold, and amber issuing from his lips and attached to their ears. Raphael has given a fine sketch of this subject, which is published in one of the volumes of the Orleans Gallery.

Καίτοι τὸ παραδοξότατον ἐδέπω ἔφην τῆς ἐικόνος. ὁ γὰρ δὲ γέρων Ἡρακλῆς ἐκεῖνος ανθρώπων πάμπολύ τι πλῆθος ἕλκει ἐκ τῶν ὤτων ἅπαντας δεδεμένες. δεσμὰ δὲ ἐισιν δι σειραὶ λεπταὶ χρυσῆ καὶ ἠλέκτρα ἐἰργασμέναι, ὅρμοις ἐοικυῖαι τοῖς καλλίσοις. Καὶ ὅμως ἀφ ̓ ὕτως ἀσθενῶν ἀγόμενοι, ἔτε δρασμὸν βελεύεσι, δυνάμενοι ἂν ἐυμαρῶς, ἔτε ὅλως ἀντιτείνεσιν. . . . ἀλλὰ φαιδροὶ ἕπονται καὶ γεγηθότες. .. . . . . ἐι δὲ γέρων πεποίη ται, μὴ θαυμάσης· μόνος γὰρ ὁ λόγος ἐν γήρᾳ φιλεῖ ἐντελῆ ἐπδέικνυσθαι τὴν ἀκμῆν, ἔιγε ἀληθῆ ὑμῶν ὁι ποιηταὶ λέγεσιν.

...

Ὅτι μὲν αἱ τῶν ὁπλοπἔρων φρένες ἠερέθονται.

Τὸ δὲ γῆρας ἔχει τι λέξαι τῶν νέων σοφώτερον.

Luc. Hercules.

Lucian here quotes Hom. Il. Γ. 108, but not correctly. He adds, that the Gallic Hercules is represented as advanced in years, because eloquence does not arrive at perfection in early life.

F f

divested of rhetorical composition and of rhetorical delivery becomes strict demonstration. Such reasoning is found in logic, mathematics, evidences of facts, and law arguments. Reasoning in this sense is distinct from oratory: both indeed alike aim at bringing over other men to their opinions, but by different means. Reasoning appeals to the understanding alone; oratory deals with the passions also. Reasoning proceeds directly to the truth, and exhibits it in the simplest language. Oratory chooses the most favourable view of the subject, engages the attention of the hearer by the detail of circumstances, interests him by the colouring which he gives them, delights him by ornament, and, having won his favourable attention, appeals at once to his understanding and to his heart. When the subject admits of demonstration; reasoning is the most powerful, it is irresistible: but when strict demonstration cannot be had, oratory has then the advantage. And since in a very few of the most interesting enquiries which occupy the attention of men, strict demonstration can be obtained, so the demand for the talents of the orator is frequent and indispensable in the business of life. Reasoning is therefore applied principally to philosophical research, and to objects of science: oratory to the interests of men, and to objects admitting choice. It is an advantage which oratory possesses above reasoning, that oratory constantly avails itself of reasoning, where it can be applied; but strict reasoning does not condescend to call in the aid of oratory.

The public speakers of Great Britain have long been celebrated as excellent reasoners; their orators have been few. For this various reasons have been assigned; the truest perhaps may be indolence with respect to the requisite labour, and inattention

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