תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

comparison with the antients is great. Among them the judges were commonly numerous; the laws were few and fimple; the decifion of caufes was left in a great measure to equity and the fenfe of mankind. Hence the field for judicial eloquence was ample. But at present the system of law is much more complicated. The knowledge of it is rendered so laborious, as to be the study of a mans life. Speaking is therefore only a fecondary accomplishment, for which he has little lei. fure.

With respect to the pulpit it has been a great difadvantage, that the practice of reading fermons instead of repeating them has prevailed fo univerfally in England. This indeed may have introduced accuracy; but eloquence has been much enfeebled. Another circumftance too has been prejudicial. The fectaries and fanatics before the Restoration ufed a warm, zealous, and popular manner of preaching; and their adherents afterward continued to diftinguifh themfelves by fimilar ardor. Hatred of thefe fects drove the established church into the opposite extreme of a studied coolness of expreffion. Hence from the art of perfuafion, which preaching ought ever to be, it has paffed in England into mere reasoning and inftruction.

ELOQUENCE OF POPULAR ASSEMBLIES.

THE foundation of every species of eloquence is

good fenfe and folid thought. It fhould be the first study of him, who means to address a popular affembly, to be previously master of the business, on which he is to speak; to be well provided with matter and argument; and to reft upon these the chief ftrefs. This will give to his discourse an air of manliness and strength, which is a powerful inftrument of perfuafion. Ornament, if he have genius for it, will fucceed of courfe ; at any rate it deserves only fecondary regard.

To become a persuasive speaker in a popular affembly, it is a capital rule, that a man fhould always be perfuaded of whatever he recommends to others. Never, if it can be avoided, fhould he espouse that fide of an argument, which he does not believe to be the right. All high, eloquence must be the offspring of paffion. This makes every man perfuafive, and gives a force to his genius, which it cannot otherwife poffefs.

Debate in popular affemblies feldom allows a fpeaker that previous preparation, which the pulpit always, and the bar fometimes, admits. A general prejudice prevails, and not an unjust one, against fet fpeeches in public meetings. At the opening of a debate they may fometimes be introduced with propriety; but, as the

debate advances, they become improper; they lofe the appearance of being fuggefted by the bufinefs, that is going on. Study and oftentation are apt to be visible; and confequently, though admired as elegant, they are feldom fo perfuafive, as more free and unconftrained difcourfes.

This however does not forbid premeditation, on what we intend to speak. With respect to the matter we eɩnnot be too accurate in our preparation; but with regard to words and expreffions it is very poffible fo far to overdo, as to render our fpeech ftiff and precife. Short notes of the fubftance of the discourse are not only allowable, but of confiderable fervice, to those especially, who are beginning to speak in public. They will teach them a degree of accuracy, which, if they speak frequently, they are in danger of lofing. They will accuftom them to distinct arrangement, without which eloquence, however great, cannot produce entire conviction.

Popular affemblies give fcope for the moft animated manner of public fpeaking. Paffion is easily excited in a great assembly, where the movements are communicated by mutual fympathy between the orator and the audience. That ardor of fpeech, that vehemence and glow of fentiment, which proceed from a mind animated and inspired by fome great and public object, form the peculiar character of popular eloquence in its higheft degree of perfection.

P

The warmth however, which we exprefs, must be al ways suited to the subject; since it would be ridiculous to introduce great vehemence into a fubject of small importance, or which by its nature requires to be treated with calmnefs. We must alío be careful not to counterfeit warmth without feeling it. The best rule is, to follow nature; and never to attempt a strain of eloquence, which is not prompted by our own genius. A fpeaker may acquire reputation and influence by a calm, argumentative manner. To reach the pathetic and fubTime of oratory requires those strong sensibilities of mind and that high power of expreffion, which are given to few.

Even when vehemence is justified by the fubject, and prompted by genius; when warmth is felt, not feign ed; we must be cautious, left impetuofity tranfport us too far. If the fpeaker lofe command of himself, he will foon lofe command of his audience. He must begin with moderation, and study to warm his hearers gradually and equally with himself. For, if their paffions be not in unison with his, the difcord will foon be felt. Refpect for his audience fhould always lay a decent reftraint upon his warmth, and prevent it from carrying him beyond proper limits. When a fpeaker is so far mafter of himself, as to preferve clofe attention to argument, and even to fome degree of accurate expreffion; this felf command, this effort of reafon in the midst of paflion, contributes in the highest degree both

to please and to perfuade. The advantages of paffion are afforded for the purposes of perfuafion without that confufion and disorder, which are its ufual attend

ants.

1

In the most animated ftrain of popular speaking we must always regard, what the public ear will receive without disgust. Without attention to this imitation of antient orators might betray a fpeaker into a boldnefs of manner, with which the coolness of modern taste would be displeased. It is alfo neceffary to attend with care to the decorums of time, place, and character. No ardor of eloquence can atone for neglect of these. No one fhould attempt to speak in public without forming to himself a just and strict idea of what is fuitable to his age and character; what is fuitable to the fubject, the hearers, the place, and the occafion. On this idea he fhould adjust the whole train and manner of his fpeaking.

What degree of conciseness or diffuseness is suited to popular eloquence, it is not eafy to determine with precifion. A diffufe manner is generally confidered, as most proper. There is danger however of erring in this refpect; by too diffuse a style public speakers often lofe more in point of ftrength, than they gain by fulnefs of illuftration. Exceffive concifenefs indeed muft be avoided. We must explain and inculcate; but confine ourselves within certain limits. We fhould never

« הקודםהמשך »