discussion in the assembly, but rigidly refused unless he felt prepared. So manifest was his usual careful preparation that other envious orators ridiculed him, saying that" all his arguments smelled of the lamp." To Pytheas, who especially reproached the great orator for his exact preparations, Demosthenes replied: "This shows me to be a good member of a democratic state; for the coming prepared to the rostrum is a mark of respect for the people. Whereas, to be regardless of what the people might think of a man's address, shows his inclination for oligarchy, and that he would rather gain his point by force than by persuasion."

Different writers, from Quintilian's time to the present, have called attention to certain passages in his orations which have all the finish his genius and accomplishments could possibly confer, and, like some of our most noted modern orators, he was accustomed, with the nicest changes, to use, in his different orations, these elaborated passages.

It should, perhaps, be remarked in passing, that, notwithstanding this drill and rigid application of Demosthenes, which commenced at sixteen years of age, he attracted but little attention, and had gained but small influence, until he was past thirty.2

There is one other thought that should be borne in mind: Demosthenes was fortunate in having men for auditors and for antagonists who could evoke the fire of eloquence, and thus compel him carefully to prepare his public efforts, and to do his best when on the bema. The effect of this responsive power

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of an audience upon a man of an objective turn is far greater than is generally supposed. "There would be no oratory in the world," says Quintilian,

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were we to speak with one person only at a time." "A jest's prosperity," as Shakespeare quaintly remarks, lies in the ear of him who hears it." 5 In his audience, we repeat, Demosthenes was fortunate. The people who crowded those Grecian assemblies were those who could be thrilled with lofty sentiments, and could appreciate the excellences of elocution and eloquence. Demosthenes knew that nothing of his laborious efforts would be lost; that his pearls would not be thrown to swine. Many, even of the common people, are said to have been "masters of the language of Greece, critics often as to its scholarly niceties, and practised judges upon every species of oratory." Before such auditors · auditors who were accustomed to interrupt one if he chanced merely to mispronounce a word- the public speaker needed to be constantly on his guard; and this kind of guard-duty is vitally beneficial a professional life-preserver.

Among the great men of Demosthenes' time was the statesman and orator Lycurgus, whose orations were always carefully prepared, whose speech, though not ready, was among the most powerful in Athens, and whose character was irreproachable. Demosthenes also often contested the honors of debate with the profligate but facetious orator, Demades, who in humorous sallies was often a match for any Athenian; and with Phocion, a powerful speaker, a

man of the sternest political integrity, of whom Demosthenes used to say, " Here comes the pruner of my periods.” In oratorical efforts, schines was the chief rival of Demosthenes; and the Debate on the Crown was the occasion of the masterly efforts of each of these two great men. In loudness and clearness of voice, in ease and fluency of speech, Æschines decidedly outranked Demosthenes. After his defeat, schines opened a school of oratory in Rhodes, where he gained great reputation for ability in speaking.

Such were the men with whom Demosthenes came in contact; they were of a character, as is easily inferred, to stimulate and inspire to the utmost his oratorical powers.

The themes upon which Demosthenes expended his eloquence, being among the grandest then agitating the popular mind, likewise contributed to his oratorical successes. He appeared upon the side of justice and humanity, always contending for the rights of the people. In his orations against Philip, he stood before his countrymen representing all which remained of Athenian dignity and glory. If any man could help them, it was he. His advice had always been steady and constant; his warnings should have been earlier attended to. But even yet there might be need of him. He was their consolation for the past, their hope for the future.” Of course, therefore, when he spoke the people flocked to hear him, and were electrified.

"Wherever," as Emerson says, "the polarities.

meet, wherever the fresh moral sentiment, the instinct of freedom and duty, comes in direct opposition to fossil conservatism and the thirst of gain, the spark will pass."

We are at this point prepared to note some of the strong and salient points in the character of Demosthenes.

First. During the periods of his greatest successes he was free from moral and political stains. He appears to have striven always to be on the best terms with his conscience.3 As Dr. Anthon correctly remarks, "The mystery of Demosthenes' mighty influence lay in his honesty; and it is this that gave warmth and tone to his feelings, and energy to his language, and an impressiveness to his manner, before which every imputation of insincerity must have immediately vanished."

Demosthenes early adopted the philosophy of Plato, which, in a letter addressed to Heracleodorus, he thus extols: "Since you have espoused the doctrine of Plato, which is so distant from avarice, from artifice, and violence: a doctrine whose object is the perfection of goodness and justice! Immortal gods! when once a man has adopted this doctrine, is it possible he should deviate from truth, or entertain one selfish or ungenerous sentiment?" In harmony with this philosophy it is found that virtue chosen for its own sake, and at any cost, was the principle pervading all his masterpieces. "My friends," he once said, when the people were trying to carry an impeachment case by unfair means,

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my friends, I will be your counsellor whether you will or not; but a false accuser I will not be, however much you may wish it.”

Second. Patriotism, especially during the period of his ascendancy, was a marked characteristic of Demosthenes. "The more his country was environed by dangers, the more sturdy was his resolution." He was superior to others because others were selfish, while he was moved by Athenian patriotism, even a passion for the glory of his country.

Third. Moral fearlessness is another noticeable characteristic of this great orator.

He was not brave on the field of battle; but on the bema nothing could intimidate him. At a time when Philip was successful, as Plutarch tells us, and all Athens was struck dumb, and no other man could be found who dared mount the rostrum, Demosthenes stood forth alone, a giant in the darkness of those troubled times, and by his powerful and daring attacks upon Philip, he so inflamed the people that they themselves lost all fear, forgot even to be cautious, and were ready to march against the victorious Macedonian invader.

Fourth. All through the centuries Demosthenes has been held up as one of the most illustrious examples of unwearied application and perseverance. Fifth. The intensity and earnestness of Demosthenes are likewise noticeable characteristics. intensity, so sober and yet so passionate, seemed to have a touch of revenge. It is not surprising, therefore, that he could stimulate, almost intoxicate, the minds of his hearers, that he could touch and wake

His