Remark of Sir Joshua Reynolds to Mr. Burke.

and offer a prayer to the gods for the protection and prosperity of his native city,—that city for whose glory he had toiled so long and sacrificed so much.

When we see the blackness and perfidy that is wrapped up in the breast of Catiline, who does not tremble for the fate of Rome, and grow indignant over the story of this heartless villain? But will not those noble sentiments that burst forth from the soul of Cicero, make us better citizens and greater lovers of country? admirers not more of the beauty, elegance and resistless power of his eloquence, than the courage and fearless honesty of his heart? We scorn those tribunes who flattered the people with the promise of securing some rights for the public good, and when power was firmly in their grasp turned a haughty look upon the plebeians. But when we remember the honesty and devotion of Fabricius, and the noble death of Cato, it is pleasant to think that such men have lived.

Sir Joshua Reynolds once made the following remark to Mr. Burke: "I do not mean to flatter you, Mr Burke, but when posterity reads one of your speeches in Parliament, it will be difficult to believe you took so much pains, knowing with certainty, as you did, that it could produce no effect, that not one vote would be gained by it." "Waiving your compliment to me," was the reply, "I shall say in general

Confederated republic.

Liberty of the orator.

that it is very well worth while for a man to take pains to speak well in Parliament. And if a man speaks well, he gradually establishes a certain reputation and consequence in the general opinion, which sooner or later will have its political rewards. Besides, though not one vote is gained, a good speech has its effect. The bill you oppose may pass into a law, but it will be modified and softened by it."

This little fragment of personal remark opens to our view the heart of the great statesman. We discover that principle in his character upon which he was willing to stake his reputation. It was not the rule of mere expediency, or party triumph, or personal advancement upon which he acted. But deep and unyielding devotion to those principles which in his judgment were right, a fixedness of purpose which no circumstance could change, obedience to conscientious conviction that no hope of reward could alter, were the elements which gave luster to the character of him who is the pride of British statesmen and civilians, and which will entwine about the name of Burke in perennial beauty.

In some respects civil society among us is similar to what it was among the Greeks. Ours is a confederated republic, and with us, as with the Greeks, the orator is at liberty to think what he pleases and speak what he thinks. Successful oratory is in high repute.

Our nation.

Its destiny.

We pay great deference to the man who affects and moves us by the expression of his opinions. We are therefore, like the Greeks, as a people, liable to be deceived by him who has a false heart and a persuasive tongue. In many respects the prospects before our nation are flattering. It occupies the fairest portion of this western continent. It is situated in the most beautiful and productive region of the whole earth. It has ample territory, and boundless resources. For beauty and grandeur of scenery, salubrity of air, and serenity of sky, it is not surpassed. Its people are of that stock who are ever restless and unsatisfied. The arts eminently flourish. Intellectual culture is duly appreciated and patronized. But, alas for its fate if wicked men are suffered to control its destiny! Heaven grant that wisdom may direct, that virtue may prevail!

6

LECTURE IV.

A

VOCAL CULTURE.

CORRECT and ready elocution can not be overvalued in a system of education. Speech is that one of our faculties which is in almost constant use. From the artless prattle of infancy to the last trembling accents of age, the voice rarely remains long unused. If it be employed for the purpose of public speaking, there is special need of a happy and effective utterance. But even in ordinary conversation it is pleasant to hear a mu sical voice equally removed from ignorant vulgarity and studied affectation. It is exhilarating to feel in the tone, the sentiments that glow in the mind of him who addresses us. An easy elocution is among the first of accomplishments, because it is one which constantly shows. They who labor so assiduously to maintain a claim to aristocracy in manners and dress should not neglect this.

When we speak, it is our object to convey to the minds of others the thoughts which we have in our own minds. We may fail to effect this purpose,

Tone repulsive.

True idea of reading.

either wholly or in part, from a defective or careless habit of utterance. We receive and retain the thoughts of some persons, because of the pleasant and striking style in which they are spoken, and we forget what another has said before he has done speaking, because his style of address is so repulsive and bungling. If we gain the attention of the one we address and his mind is in a receptive state, still we may fail to make him feel the force of a thought as we do, because we have not the faculty of throwing it fully into the words we speak. We have all observed that there is music, a magic in some voices, that is charming and attractive, while others are capable of blunting our perceptions and forcing us to close our ears.

If we read aloud what another has written, the task becomes more difficult; for in addition to what has been named above, we have to learn and appreciate what was the idea of the author. Reading consists in conveying to the minds of those who listen, the thought as it originally existed in the mind of him who wrote it. If we fail to understand and fully appreciate the meaning of the piece as we proceed, then we do not read, but simply call words like the parrot. If we have a correct understanding of it, but still fail to communicate it by the words we use, then we do not read in the proper accep