563. GESTURE, or a just and elegant adaptation of every part of the body to the subject, is an essential part of oratory; and its power is much greater than that of words : for it is the language of nature, and makes its way to the heart, without the utterance of a single word: it affects the eye, (which is the quickest of all our senses,) and of course, conveys impressions more speedily to the mind, than that of the voice, which affects the ear only. Nature, having given to every sentiment and feeling its proper outward expression, what we often mean, does not depend so much on our words, as on our manner of speaking them. Art-only adds ease and gracefulness, to what nature and reason dictate. Study the Gesture Engravings thoroughly. All natural objects have An echo in the heart. This flesh doth thrill, With the mysterious mind and breathing mould, MADNESS AND TERROR. A Great Mistake. The sons of the rich so often die poor-and the sons of the poor so often die rich, that it has grown into a proverb; and yet, how many parents are laboring and toiling to ac cumulate wealth for their children, and, at the same time, raising them up in habits of indolence and extravagance. Their sons will scatter their property much sooner than they can gather it together. Let them have their heads well stored with useful knowledge, and their hearts with sound and virtuous principles, and they will ordinarily take care of themselves. However affluent may be his circumstances, yet every parent inflicts upon his son a lasting injury, who does not train him up to habits of virtue, industry and economy. Anecdote. Francis I., king of France, (opponent and rival of Charies V., of Germany,) consulting with his generals, how to lead his army over the Alps into Italy, his fool, Amarel, sprung from a corner, and advised him to consult how to bring them back agam. A child is born. Now take the germ, and make it Of knowledge, and the light of virtue, wake it For virtue-leaves its sweets wherever tasted, And scatter'd truth is never, never wasted. Varieties. 1. All those, who have presented themselves at the door of the world, with a great truth, have been received with stones, or hisses. 2. Who has not observed the changed, and changing condition of the human race! 3. We are indebted to the monastic institutions for the preservation of Stretch of Thought. A fellow-student, ancient libraries. 4. No good can bring in consequence of too close application to pleasure, unless it be that, for the loss of study, and neglect of proper diet and exercise, which we are prepared. 5. They, who sacbecame partially deranged; but being very ritice at the altar of Apollo, are like those, karmless, it was thought best that he should who drink of the waters of Claros; they rego and come when, and where he pleased; ceive the gift of divination, they imbibe the in hope of facilitating his restoration. One seeds of death. 6. The same misconduct Saturday afternoon, he went out through the which we pardon in ourselves, we condemn gardens and fields, and gathered every variety in others; because we associate a palliation of flowers, from the modest violet to the gaudy with the one, which we cannot perceive in sunflower-with which he adorned himself the other. 7. What constitutes true mar from head to foot, in the most fantastical manner; in which condition he was displaying his imaginary kingly power, on a hillock in the college green, just as the president and One of the professors were going up to attend chapel prayers; when the former observed to the latter-what a great pity that such a noble mind should be thus in ruins! the maniac hearing what he said, rose majestically upon his throne, and with a most piercing look and voice, exclaimed; "What is that you say, old president! you presume to talk thus about ine? Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed as I am. You old sinner, come here; and I will tear you limb from limb,-and scatter you through infinite space; where Omniscience cannot find you, nor Omnipotence put you together again. riage? Sheba-was never Which round another's bosom twine, Outspringing from the living tree- Where flowers are hope, its fruits-are bliss, 564. VEHEMENCE OF ACTION. Cicero- Three Modes of Forming Theories. very judiciously observes, that a speaker One-to imagine them, and then search for facts nust remit, occasionally, the vehemence of to sustain, prove and confirm them; one—to colhis actions, and not utter every passage with all the force, of which he is capable; so as to lect facts, which are only effects, and out of them set off, more strongly, the emphatical parts; to form theories; and one-to observe all these as painters make their figures stand out bold- facts, and look through them to their causes; which cr, by means of light and shades: there are causes constitute the only true theories: then, all always strong points, as they may be called, known or probable effects, will not only confirm in every well written piece, which must al- such theories, but they can be explained by these ways be attended to, thus hill and dale, theories. mountain and precipice, cataract and gulph: always keep some resources, and never utter the weaker with all your energy; for if you do, there will be a failing in the strong points the most pathetic parts. In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man, But, when the blast of war blows in our ears, will explain and demonstrate all things, so far as they can be seen and understood; i. e. rationally perceived, according to the state and capacity of the human mind. That which enables one to explain a thing, analytically and synthetically, is the true cause or theory of that thing; thus, true theories are the causes of things, and facts are the legit:mate effects of those things. The ENDS OF THINGS. There is one step higher, which must be taken, and then we shall have all, that the human mind can conceive of, or think about; which is the end of things: thus we have ends, causes, and effects; Hence, the true theories of all things, Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it, beyond which sphere, man cannot go; for every As fearfully, as doth a galled rock thing, object or subject, concerning which we can feel, think or act, is either an end, a cause, or an effect; the latter only, are accessible to our senses: the other must be seen intellectually: i. e. in a region of mind above our senses. O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth, and stretch the nostril wide; Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit To his full height!-On, on! you noblest English. Varieties. 1. Can what is incomprehen465. THE FOREHEAD. TO WHAT specta-sible, be an object of thought? 2. Humani tor can the forehead appear uninteresting? ty, justice, and patriotism--are qualities-of Here, appear LIGHT and GLOOM; JOY and universal benefit to mankind. 3. The only ANXIETY, STUPIDITY, IGNORANCE, and VICE. way to expel what is false from the mind, is On this brazen tablet are engraved MANY comto receive the opposite truth. 4. Faith-is binations of SENSE and of SOUL. Here, all saving, when we learn truths from the Bible, the GRACES revel, and all the CYCLOPS thun- and live according to them. 5. A man is der. Nature has left it bare, that by it, the said to be square, when he does not, from incountenance may be ENLIGHTENED and justice, incline to this or that party. 6 The DARKENED. At its lowest extremities, power of the muscles, is derived through the THOUGHTS-appear changed into ACTS; the nerves, as the power of good is from truth. mind HERE collects the powers of RESIST7. Nothing remains with us, that is not reANCE; and HERE headlong OBSTINACY, or ceived in freedom. wise PERSEVERANCE take up their fixed abode. That brow, which was, to me, Well might Lord Herbert write his love- Look nature through; 'tis revolution all: [ night And then, alone, would Ila mourn; He, that doth public good-for multitudes, 568. Eve. Are not good sense, and good humor of more advantage than beauty? When Adam is introduced by Milton, describing Ere, in paredise, and relating to the ange, the impressions ha felt on seeing her, at her first creation, he does not represent her-like a Grecian Venus, by her shape, or features, but by the lustre of her mind, which shone in them; and gave them their power of charming: Grace--was in all her steps, heaven-in her eye, Anecdote. A Humane Driver Rewarded. A Macedonian soldier, was one day leading before Alexander a mule laden with gold for the king's use; and the beast being so fired, that he could not go, or sustain the load, his driver took it off, and, with great difficulty, carried it himself a considerable way. Alexander, seeing him just sinking under the burden, and about to throw it on the ground, cried out, "Do not be weary yet; try and carry it through to the tent, for it is all thy own." Faint not, heart of man! though years wane slow! war with the Macedonians, and in defeating his rivals, who were bribed by the intter. The charaeterist es of his oratory were, strength, sublimity, piercing energy and force, aided by an emphatic, The stormy dashing of the ocean-waves,— and vehement elocution; he sometimes, however, Down, farther down-than gold lies hid, have nurs'd degenerated into severity. In reading his orations, A quenchless hope, and watch'd their time, and Sura we do not meet with any sentiments that are very On the bright day, like wakeners from the grass! exalted. they are generally bounded by self-love and a love of the world. His father died when he Varieties. 1. When we got let us was seven years old, and his guardians having consider what we have to do; wasted his property, at the age of seventeen, he return, what we have done. 2. There are appeared against them at the court, and plead his many subjects, that are not easily understood; own cause successfully; which encouraged him to but it is easy to misrepresent them; and when speak before the assembly of the people; but he arguments cannot be controverted, it is not made a perfect failure; after which, he retired, difficult for the uncharitable-to calumniate studied and practiced in secret, until he was twen-motives. 3. A man's true character is a greater ty-fee, when he came forward again, and com menced his brilliant career. An honest staterman-to a prince-is like His hand, who feels the strongest, paints the best. and in elocution he was taught by A-pol-lo-ni-us Molo of Rhodes; after which he visited Athens, and on his return was made questor, and then consul; when he rendered the greatest service to the state. by the suppression of the conspiracy of Catiline: he was afterwards banished, and voluntarily retired to Greece, but was soon honorably recalled; after which, he undertook the prætorship of Cilicia. In the civil wars of Casar and Pompey, he adher ed to the party of the later; and after the battle of Pharsalia, was reconciled to Cæsar. but was soon slain by Pompilius, at the instigation of Marc Anwony. when we secret to himself, than to others; if he judge himself, he is apt to be partial; if he asks the opinions of others, he is liable to be deceived. 4. Really learned persons never think of having finished their education, for they are students during life. 5. The insults of others can never make us wretched, or resemful, if our hearts are right; the riper, that stings us, is within. 6. Beware of drawing too broad and strong conclusions-from feeble and illdefined premises. 7. When human policy wraps one end of the chain round the anele of a man, divine justice rivets the other end round the neck of the tyrant. 8. All who have been great, without religion, would undoubtedly have been much greater, and better--with it. QUALITIES-SURPASSING LOVELINESS. Her father's well-filled library—with profit.— The wise man, said the Bible, walks with God, 569. RHETORICAL ACTION-respects the atti- | correspond. An ercet attitude, and a firmness tude, gesture, and expression of the countenance. of position, denote majesty, activity, strength; Words cannot represent certain peculiarities; the leaning-affection, respect. earnestness of they depend on the actor. Simplicity, or a strict entreaty, dignity of composure. indifference, disadherence to the modesty of nature-correct- ease. The air of a person expresses a language ness-or adaption to the word-and beauty, as easily understood. The husbandman, dandy, opposed to awkwardness-are the principal gentleman and military chief bespeak the habits marks of good action. Beauty belongs to objects and qual t'es of each. The head gently reclined, of sight. Action should Le easy, natural, varied, denotes grief, shame; erect-courage, firmness; and directed by passion. Avoid affectation and thrown back or shaken-dissent; forward-asdisplay; for they disgust. The best artists are sent. The hand raised and inverted-repels, famous for simplicity, which has an enchanting more elevated and extended-surprise, aston sheffect. Profuse decorations indicate a wish to ment; placed on the mouth--silence; on the supply the want of genius by multiplying inferi-head. pain; on the breast-affection, or appeal to or beauties. There is in every one an indis- conscience elevated-defiance; both raised and czibable something, which we call nature, that palms united supplication; gently clasped perceives and recognizes the inspirations of na- thankfulness; wrung-agony. ture; therefore, after bringing your voice under your control, if you enter fully into the spirit of the composition, and let your feelings prompt al govern your action, you cannot greatly err. The victory is half won when you fully feel and realize what you read or speak. Resolve to acquire the power, the witchery, the soul of elocution-that lightning of ancient times which poured a blaze of light on the darkest understanding, and that thunder which awakens the dead. They never fail-who die In a great cause: the block-may soak their gore: 570. This system teaches you to harmonize matter and manner, to imbibe the author's feelings, to bring before you all the circumstances, and plunge amid the living scenes, and feel that what you describe is present, and actually passing before you. Speak of truths as truths, not as fictions. Give the strongest, freest, truest expression of the natural blendings of thought and emotion; break thro' all arbitrary restraint, and submit, after proper trainings, to the suggestions of reason and nature. Let your manner be earnest, collected, vigorous, self-balanced. In the introduction, be respectful, modest, conciliatory, winning, rather mild and slow; in the discussion, clear, energetic; in the application, animated, pathetic, persuasive. All--some force obey! Gold-will dissolve. and diamonds-melt away; Marble-obeys the chisel, and the saw; And solar-beams-a rock of ice will thaw; The flaming forge o'ercomes well-temper'd steel; And flinty glass--is fashioned at the wheel: But man's rebellious heart-no power can bend, No flames can soften, no concussion--rend ; Tili the pure spirit soften, pierce and melt, And the warm blood-is in the conscience felt. 571. Look your hearers in the face--give yourself, body and soul, to the subject-let not the attention be divided between the manner and matter. Practice in private to establish correct habis of voice and gesture, and become so familiar with all rules as not to think of them when exercising. The head, face eyes, hands, and upper part of the body are principally employed in oratorical action. The soul speaks most intelligibly in the muscles of the face, and through the eye, which is the chief seat of expression; let the internal man, and the external Anecdote. Tyrolese Songs. In the children-come out, at bed-time, and sing mountains of Tyrol, hundreds of women and their national songs, until they hear their husbands, fathers, and brothers, answer them from the hills on their return home. Upon the shore of the Adriatic, the wives of the fishermen come down, about sunset, and sing one of their melodies. They sing the first verse, and then listen-for sometime: then they sing a second; and so on, till they hear the answer from the fishermen, who are thus guided to their homes. Hail memory, hail! in thy exhaustless mine, Fancy's fairy frost-work melts away: Varieties. 1. Costume, when once regulated by true science, and art, remains in unchangable good taste;comfortable, convenient, as well as picturesque and becoming. 2. In 1756, a white headed old woman-died in London, whose hair sold for 244 dollars to a ladies' periwig maker. 3. In some countries, intellect has sway; in some-wealth; and in others-beauty and rank; but the most powerful influence in the best societies, is goodness combined with truth in practice. 4. Merit-in the inheritor, alone makes valid an inheritance of glory in ancestry. 5. Why does new sweet milk become sour-during a thunder storm? 6. Why can no other nation make a Chinese gong? 7. Is not the American government founded upon the true principles of human nature ? S. How prone many are, to worship the creature more than the Creator! 9. When apparent truths are taken, and confirmed for rea! ones, they become fallacies. 10. Actions-show best the nature of the law of life; and deedsshow the man. In all thy humors, whether grave or mellow, Thou`rt such a touchy, testy, pleasant fellow: [thee, Hast so much wit, and mirth, and spleen about That there's no living with thee, or without thee. 572. The emphatic strokes of the hand accompany emphasis: its elevated termination suits high pass.on; horizontal-decision; downward movement-disapprobation. Avoid excess, violence and constancy of action; gentleness, tranquility and dignity prevail more. What is the appropriate gesture in this? Light are the outward signs of evil thought; within, within-'twas there the spirit wrought." Middie finger of the right hand points to the body-its fore-finger gently la d in the palm of the left, in deliberation, proof, or argumentat on-sometimes it is pressed hard on the balm. The left hand often acts with great significancy with the right, rarely used alone in the principal gestures, except when something on the left hand is spoken of, as contradistingu shed from something on the right, and when two things are contrasted. Motion of the hands should correspond with those of the eyes. Rules say, “ Do not raise the hands above the head," but if natural passion prompts them-it will be well done; for passion knows more than art. Our thoughts are boundless, tho'our frames are frail, The Muse of inspiration-plays In man or woman, but far most in man, Varieties. 1. Children learn but little from what they read, while the attention is divided between the sense and making out the words. 2. Few parents and teachers are aware of the pre-eminent importance of oral over book instruction. 3. Truths, inculcated without any sense of delight, are like seeds, whose living germ has been destroued; and which, therefore, when sown, can never come to anything. 4. The idea of the Lord, com ing into the world, to instruct us, and make us good, is an idea particularly delightful to young children, as well as to those of riper years. 5. We were not created-to live on the earth, one moment in vain; every moment has a commissum, connected with eternita; and each minute, improved, gives power to the next minute, to proceed with an acceler 574. Some of the sources of faults in action, are Of those few fools who with ill stars are curst, Let talkers talk; stick then to what is best, Let conquerors---boast |