a single Professorship is instituted, for the cultivation of this sublime and noble art. Neither public patronage, nor private munificence, has yet called forth the efforts of the learned and ingenious, for reviving and improving the study and practice of eloquence.

From considering the neglect and degradation of oratory, we should suspect either, that the subject itself were embarrassed with insurmountable obstacles; or that the ends of this art could be obtained by means less expensive and laborious. It is a position generally admitted, that eloquence will flourish, in every nation, in proportion as the government is free. The first governments instituted over men, were despotic monarchies. In these the people felt no interest.

They had no share in the public concerns of the state; they were treated as inferior beings, crushed under the arm of power, and swayed by fear. The annals of the world furnish no trace of eloquence, until we come to the Democratic States of Ancient Greece. Here the affairs of the state, were deliberated on, discussed and decided, in the assemblies of the whole people. He who could have most influence in these, was master of the State. Here fame, wealth, honor, and power waited on the steps of the orator. Place men in the same political situation, any other age or country, and the same effects will follow. It must however be observed, that such governments as the petty democracies of ancient Greece, are utterly impracticable, among people spread over extensive districts of territory, representative governments can never be so free, nor can they be so tyrannical, as small democracies.

in

Such governments as those of the individual, and of the United States, possess as high a degree of freedom as is practicable, or desirable; and afford ample scope for the powers of the orator. We must not, however, expect that the world in her old age, when the sciences have gained the ascendency over the arts; when men are swayed more by reason and judgment, than by fancy and passion, will bring forth such vigorous children, as in the days of her youthful maturity. Among the various causes which might be assigned for the decay of oratory in modern times, I shall mention only one; I mean the neglect of

the language of the fancy and passions. Language, in its common acceptation, is limited to words, either written or spoken. Language thus understood would probably answer every purpose, did man possess no power but intellect. This however is far from being the case. He possesses fancy and passions. These constitute a most interesting branch of his nature. They are furnished by nature with a language peculiar to themselves; a language which without art or study instantly expresses all their impulses, movements and modifications. On this language depends all that is forcible, affecting and sublime in oratory.-Words are sufficient to convey what are called ideas, but are absolutely incapable of expressing our internal feelings, sentiments and passions.

Words of course cannot supply the exigencies of the orator, since they furnish him with no means of operating on the active powers of man. It may then be enquired, what more is wanted? I answer the language of looks, tones and gestures. These constitute a natural language formed by God himself, and intelligible to all men, in all ages, and nations. By looks and gestures only, all that passes in the mind, may be completely conveyed. For the truth of this, I appeal to the ancient pantomimic representations. In these, not a word was spoken; the spectators were interested, agitated, transported; they laughed, wept, rejoiced, and felt by turns all the passions and sentiments peculiar to man. It was even a contest, between the great Roman Orator and Roscius which could express a sentiment most forcibly, the former by words, or the latter by look and gestures. Thus, we may safely assert, that words are not even an indispensable part of language; and yet this is all or nearly all, to which the modern teachers of eloquence pay any attention. No wonder that eloquence is not heard when she has lost her tongue! Can this be restored? Undoubtedly it can. What has been done once, can be done again. The ancients perfectly understood this language. All that is now wanted to revive it, is the attention and labor of ingenious men, to copy it from nature and reduce it to system.

Looks and gestures, constitute a language of external signs. These are the work of Nature herself, and they exactly corres

pond to their internal cause.

All men, from their birth, know this language, and can with the utmost certainty and facility, refer every external sign, to its internal principle. This is more evident with respect to the more vigorous emotions and passions.

These are marked with a distinct sign which is never misunderstood either in kind or degree. The other less vigorous are marked by a common sign sufficiently distinct and legible to indicate their nature. One who has not paid particular attention to this subject, will not readily believe or conceive the exact harmony, with which the external form and powers of man are adjusted to his internal sentiments and passions. What internal feeling, passion, or sentiment, cannot readily and clearly be pointed out, by the motions of the hand, head, eyes; in short, by all the features of the countenance, and by all the attitudes of the body? To these add the expressive power of tones. These vary and modify, almost indefinitely, the meaning and force of any form of words. The accounts of the effects of Ancient Oratory seem incredible; but when we consider what a powerful instrument language was, as used by the Ancients, consisting of words the most expressive, delivered in tones suggested by the sentiment, and these all accompanied by looks and gestures, each of which would constitute a powerful medium of conveyance; our incredulity will vanish, and we shall be filled with astonishment and admiration at human skill and genius. While destitute of the knowledge and use of language in its fullest extent, we are ignorant of some of our noblest powers, and deprived of some of the highest enjoyments of which we are capable. That part of our constitution which is the seat of the fancy and passions, is at present almost wholly barren, and uncultivated. These limbs of our constitution, which have withered in a palsy, of two thousand years, must be revived by the galvanic pile of wealth, and honor and fame, and restored to to the pristine health and vigor.

Let the youth under the most accomplished rhetorical teachers be carried through as long a series of laborious exercises, as those who are destined for mechanical labor; and we need not despair to see another Cicero and Demosthenes.

The scientific study of rhetoric and criticism, will keep alive

all their subsidiary branches of literature and science, and by promoting a taste for all the arts of elegance and beauty, will contribute to individual happiness and public prosperity. Having delivered what I propose as an introduction to a course of lectures to the senior class of this college, I now come to a close lest I should trespass upon the patience of my audience.

APPENDIX.

The REV. ASA MESSER, D. D., LL. D., late President of Brown University, published several occasional Sermons, Orations, and Addresses, which are full of that sound, practical wisdom for which he was so eminently distinguished. The Editor believes he shall gratify Dr. Messer's numerous pupils and friends, as well as the reading public generally, by adding the following Addresses which are a fair specimen of the other productions of his powerful pen. His conceptions strong, distinct and animated, are expressed in a style terse, simple, and vigorous.