The Introduction of the Feudal System into England..Editor 18 The River Mersey in former Days.... Pleasures of Science Effects of Steam A Duty to Instruct the Poor .... Mr. Hogg 51 Address to the Members of the Mental Improvement Society, Liverpool Mechanics' Institution .... Dr. Hodgson 56 Ibid 59 .... Canning 61 Speech, in the House of Lords, against the American War, and against employing the Indians .... Lord Chatham 70 Liberty of the Press-Speech in Defence of Hamilton .... .... Rowan Curran 74 Extract from Lord Erskine's Speech for Captain Baillie.... Lord Erskine 77 Extract from Lord Erskine's Speech, on the Trial of John Stockdale, for a Libel on the House of Commons..Ibid 80 Tribute to Scotland-Speech in Defence of Hamilton Rowan.. Invective against Hastings .... .... .... Curran 83 Description of an Informer-Speech in Defence of Mr. Finnerty .... .... Mr. Pitt's Reply to Horace Walpole Hotspur Reading a Letter .... Sheridan 87 Curran 90 Pitt 92 Shakspeare 94 REMARKS ON ORATORY. ADDRESSED TO THOSE WHO DESIRE TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES, AND TO THE MEMBERS OF DEBATING SOCIETIES. THE frequent opportunities I have had of judging of the different effects produced on an audience, by speeches delivered with a graceful management of voice and gesture, and speeches which have been delivered without the slightest attention to these, has induced me to commit to paper hints which have at various times been suggested, by the striking defects or beauties of the speakers to whom I have been accustomed to listen, together with a few observations on the art of Oratory. Oratory is an art, which has always been held by mankind in the highest esteem-is an art, which, when employed in the cause of virtue, or in stimulating men to noble actions-in implanting within their bosoms a sense of justice, a love of their country, and love of liberty, is worthy of the greatest admiration-is of the utmost value and importance. By its aid nations have been saved from ruin, and enemies have been routed; by its aid tyrants have trembled, and their thrones have tottered-innocence has been rescued from the malicious designs of villany, and held up to popular admira B tion and applause; while, on the other hand, villany has received its just reward, and been pointed to as the object of popular indignation and scorn. Josephus tells us that by the aid of eloquence Moses animated his exhausted, and almost famished followers, onward through difficulties apparently insurmountable; and from the time of Moses down to the present day, in every age, in every country— among the most polished and among the most rudeeloquence has been employed as the surest means of producing any desirable effect. All who are acquainted with the history of the Christian religion are aware of the powerful aid it received by the stirring eloquence of the disciples; the new testament bears ample evidence that even the holiest and sublimest truths may be impressed with additional force and more beneficial results, by torrents of eloquent words and impassioned actions. Since, then, its power is so irresistable-since it is capable of effecting that which nothing else can-is it not worthy of having the time and labour bestowed on it which are necessary to acquire the art? It is requisite, before any one can be eloquent upon a subject in debate, that he should be possessed of a fund of information regarding it: indeed it was the opinion of Socrates that every man can speak with sufficient eloquence upon any subject with which he is perfectly acquainted, but on this sentence Cicero remarks, "He would have been nearer the truth had he said, 'As no man can be eloquent on a subject of which he is ignorant, so also none, |
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