ELOQUENCE OF POPULAR ASSEMBLIES. ( ΤΗ HE foundation of every fpecies of eloquence, is good fenfe, and folid thought. It should be the firft study of him who means to addrefs any popular affembly, to be previously mafter of the bufinefs on which he is to speak; to be well provided with matter and argument; and to rest upon these the chief ftrefs. This will give to language an air of manlinefs and ftrength, which is a principal inftrument of perfuafion. Ornament, if there be a genius for it, will fucceed of courfe; at any rate, it deferves only a fecondary regard. To become a perfuafive fpeaker in a popular affembly, it feems to be a caᎢ 4 pital pital rule, that a man should always be perfuaded of whatever he recommends to others. Never, if it can be avoided, fhould he espouse any fide of the argument, but what he believes to be the just one. All high eloquence muft be the offspring of real, unaffected paffion. This makes every man persuafive, and gives a force to his genius, which it cannot otherwife poffefs. Debate, in popular affemblies, feldom allows the fpeaker that previous preparation, which the pulpit always, and the bar fometimes, admits, A general prejudice prevails, and not an unjust one, against set speeches in public meetings. At the opening of a debate, they may, indeed, fometimes be introduced with propriety; but as the debate advances, they become impro per; they commonly lofe the appear ance of being fuggefted by the business that is going on; ftudy and oftentation are are apt to be too confpicuous; and, confequently, though admired as elegant, they are feldom fo perfuafive as more free and unconstrained difcourfes, This, however, does not by any means prohibit a premeditation of the subject on which we intend to speak, With refpect to the matter, we cannot be too accurate in our preparation; but with regard to words and expreffion, it is very poffible to be fo affiduous, as to render our speech ftiff and precife. A few short notes of the fubftance of the difcourfe, are, however, 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 too foon of lofing. They will accustom them to a diftinct arrangement, without which, eloquence, however great, cannot produce entire conviction. Popular Popular affemblies afford fcope for the most animated manner of public fpeaking. Paffion is eafily excited in a great affembly, where the movements are communicated by mutual fympathy between the orator and the audience, That ardour of fpeech, that vehemence and warmth of fentiment, which proceed from a mind animated and infpired by fome great and public object, conftitute the peculiar character of popular eloquence, in its highest degree of perfection. The warmth, however, which we exprefs, must be always fuited to the fubject; fince it would be ridiculous to introduce great vehemence concerning a matter, which is either of fmall importance, or which, by its nature, requires to be treated of with calmness. We muft alfo be careful not to Counterfeit warmth without feeling it. The beft rule is, to follow nature; and never to attempt a ftrain of eloquence which is not prompted by our own genius. A speaker may acquire both reputation and influence, by a calm argumentative manner. To reach the pathetic and the fublime of oratory, requires thofe ftrong fenfibilities of mind, and that high power of expreffion, which are the lot of a very small portion of mankind. Even when vehemence is juftified by the fubject, and prompted by genius; when warmth is felt, not feigned; we muft, however, be cautious, left impetuofity carry us beyond the bounds of prudence and propriety. If the fpeaker lofe the command of himself, he will foon ceafe to influence his hearers. He should begin with moderation; and endeavour to warm his audience gradually and equally with himself. For if their paffions be not in unifon with his, the difcord will foon become |