Another important feature of the collection is the introduction of those masterpieces of oratory - long excluded from books of this class, though now rendered appropriate by the new phase of public opinion,which advocate the inalienable rights of man, and denounce the crime of human bondage. Aware of the deep and lasting power which pieces used for declamation exert in moulding the ideas and opinions of the young, it has been my aim to admit only such productions as inculcate the noblest and purest sentiments, teaching patriotism, loyalty, and justice, and firing the youthful heart with ambition to be useful, and with heroic devotion to duty. The text of the extracts has been made to conform to that of the most authentic editions of the works of their authors. Some pieces which have heretofore been presented in a mutilated form, are here restored to their original completeness. Where compression or abridgment has been necessary, it has been executed with caution, and with strict regard to the sentiments and ideas of the authors. Fully convinced that elaborate treatises on elocution more appropriately form separate publications, nothing of the kind has been included in this volume. A summary of practical suggestions to teachers and students was thought to form a more useful introduction. For the sake of artistic beauty in the page, as well as for the convenience of the student, the notes and explanatory remarks necessary for the proper understanding of the pieces, have been thrown together at the end of the volume, and so arranged that reference to them can be easily made. This work, the preparation of which has been a recreation rather than a labor an agreeable diversion from the daily routine of a laborious office, - is the embodiment of the experience and observation of twenty-five years, with reference to this description of literature. It originated in a desire to contribute something to the furtherance of the right education of the young men of my country, and the extent to which it promotes this object, will in my estimation, be the measure of its success. Boston, July 4, 1864. ..... 21 1. The Noble Purposes of Eloquence.. 3. Invective against Warren Hastings. 4. The Bible the best Classic... 6. Duty of Literary Men to their Country.. 7. America's Obligations to England... 8. Webster's Plea for Dartmouth College.. 9. The Founders of Boston....... 11. The Foundation of National Greatness. 13. Inconsistent Expectations... 14. The Patriot's Sword vindicated. 15. On being found Guilty of Treason. 16. Address to the American Troops at L. I.. Washington. 19. American Literature and the Union. 21. Eloquence of the American Revolution. 23. Skilful Labor and Cultivated Intellect.. 25. The City of our Liberty... 26. Specimen of the Eloquence of James Otis. Mrs. L. M. Child.. 38 28. The Ambition of Webster... 29. The Danger of Exclusive Devotion to Business.. G. S. Hillard. 30. Speech in the Convention of Delegates of Virginia P. Henry... 32. Reply to the Duke of Grafton.. 37 37. An Appeal in Behalf of Patriotism and Loyalty. J. Story... 38. Our Duties to the Republic.. 39. Spartacus to the Gladiators 40. No Extension of Slave Territory 41. National Monument to Washington.. 13. Necessity of a Pure National Morality. 44. On the Irish Disturbance Bill... 45. Cæsa's Pause upon the Rubicon... 46. Gustavus Vasa to the Dalecarlians. 49. An Appeal to the Loyalty of South Carolina. A. Jackson. 52. Cause for Indian Resentment. 53. Speech on the British Treaty. 55. New England and the Union. 56. On sending Relief to Ireland. 57. The New England Common School. 58. Christianity the Source of Reform. 60. Brougham's Attack on Canning described. Anonymous 61. South Carolina during the Revolution . 62. Incompetency of Parliament.. 65. Character of Napoleon Bonaparte. 71. The Greatness of Washington. 72. Washington a Man of Genius.. 73. Irish Aliens and English Victories. 74. The Iliad and the Bible.... 75. On admitting California into the Union. 76. A Highway to the Pacific... 77. Address to Polish Exiles in London. 78. Kossuth on his Credentials.. 83. The Mayflower and the Pilgrims.. 84. The Discovery of America... 86. The Indian Chief to the White Settler 87. The Men of“. Seventy-Six”. 90. Webster's greatest Parliamentary Effort. 91. What Good will the Monument do?.. 92. Emancipation of the Crtholics of Ireland 94. Red Jacket's Speech to the Missionary. 98. Washington's Sword and Franklin's Staff. J. Q. Adams PAGR 103. The Glory and Grandeur of Peace.. 104. Ancient and Modern Productions.. 105. The Abolition of the Slave Trad 108. South Carolina and Massachusetts. 110. Supposed Speech of John Adams. 112. Influence of the Character of Washington.. D. Webster.. 116. Defence of American Clergymen. 117. Peaceable Secession impossible. 119. Events Great, because of their Results .. 122. Washington to the Present Generation 123. The Platform of the Constitution... 124. The Veterans of the Battle of Bunker Hill D. Webster. 125. Reply to the Reflections of Mr. Walpole. Lord Chatham. 170 126. Speech against the American War. 127. Speech against Employing Indians in War. Lord Chatham.. 172 129. The Noblest Public Virtue 132. Brutus on the Death of Cæsar. 133. Hamlet's Address to the Players.. 134. Falstaff's Description of his Soldiers 137. Invective against Mr. Flood. 139. Speech of Titus Quinctius to the Romans. Anonymous.. 141. Enterprise of New England 142. The Right of England to Tax America 145. The Queen of France and the Spirit of Chivalry E. Burke 146. Peroration of Opening Speech against Hastings E. Burke 147. Peroration of Closing Speech against Hastings E. Burke 148. The Crisis of the Nation... 149. Extract from Demosthenes.. PAGI A. G. Greene... 271 273 277 279 280 281 283 POETRY. 157. The Star Spangled Banner.... 158. Aspirations of Youth.. 159. The Love of Country and of Home.. 160. The Bells . 161. The Raven.. 162. Spirit of Patriotism... 163. Lochinvar... 164. Marmion taking leave of Douglas... 165. Highland War-Song... 166. David's Lament for Absalom.. 167. “ Look not upon the Wine" 168. The Leper. .... 169. Parrhasius and the Captive. 170. Casabianca.. 171. The Bended Bow 172. The Better Land. 173. Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. 174. Bernardo Del Carpio.... 175. Bernardo and King Alphonso. 176. The Bridge of Sighs.. 177. Song of the Shirt.. 178. Look Aloft...... 179. Press On....... 180. Kindness. 181. How's my Boy?.. 182. Excelsior... 183. A Psalm of Life.. 184. The Launching of the Ship 185. The Negro's Complaint. 186. Loss of the Royal George 187, Slavery. 188. The Seminole's Reply 189. The Three Beats. 190. The Battle of Ivry. 191. The Soldier from Bingen 192. “Give me three Grains of Corn, Mother" 193. Tell's Apostrophe to Liberty.. 194. William Tell among the Mountains.. 195. The Baron's Last Banquet.. 196. The Water Drinker... 197. Chamouni... 198. How they brought the Good News. 199. The Sword..... 200. The Fireman 201. Speak Gently. 202. The Passions. 203. New England.. 204. Song for Saint Cecilia's Day. 205. The Sailor's Song.. 206. Napoleon...... 207. Warren's Address at Bunker Hill.. 208. Thanatopsis. ... 203. The African Chief.. 210. The Battle-Field. 211. Hallowed Ground.. 212. The Exile of Erin. 213. Lord Ullin's Daughter. 214. Fall of Warsaw.. 215. Hohenlinden.... 287 B. W. Proctor. 289 J. Pierpont.. 290 J. Pierpont. 291 W. C. Bryant 292 W. C. Bryant 291 W. C. Bryant. 296 T. Campbell. 298 T. Campbell. 300 T. Campbell. 301 T. Campbell. 303 T. Campbell.. 305 |