560. POLYGLOTT OF BODY AND MIND. I Thus, we see that the body, in connection with the mind, speaks many languages; and he is a learned elocutionist, who understands and can speak them. In view of which, well might Hamlet exclaim, "WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS MAN!" Observe well this strange being, as embodied in the works of the painter, and statuary: in what kingly wondrous manner, appear his force of altitude and looks! Who, but would covet the glorious art of making the flat canvas and rocky"if KINGS were to be my competitors." marble, utter every passion of the human mind, and touch the soul of the spectator, as if the picture, or statue, spoke the pathetic language of a Shakspeare? Is it any wonder that masterly action, joined with powerful elocution, should be irresistible? If poetry, music, and statuary, is good, is not on ATORY more excellent? for in that we have them all. Woe for those, who trample o'er a mind! Anecdote. No hero was more distinguished in ancient times, than Alexander the Great, king of Macedon. His courage was undaunted, his ambition boundless, his friendship ardeni, his taste refined; and what was very extraordinary, he seems to have conversed with the same fire and spirit, with which he fought. Philip, his father, knowing him to be very swift, wished him to run for the prize, at the Olympic games. "I would comply with your request," said Alexander, A deathless thing. They know not what they do, For ill-can poetry express, Full many a tone-of thought sublime; And sculpture, mute and motionless, Steals but one glance from time. But, by the mighty actor's power, And sculpture-to be dumb. 562. The following-is an example of the sublime, falling far short of a hyperbole; for, as St. John observes, “even the WORLD ITSELF-Could not contain the books, that should be written" on the subject of INFINITE LOVE and INFINITE WISDOM-displayed in man's REDEMPTION and SALVATION. Could we, with ink, the OCEAN fill, Were the whole earth-a PARCHMENT-made, Were every single stick-a QUILL, And every man-a SCRIBE by trade; Nor would the scroll-contain the plan, The mind-untaught, Is a dark waste, where fiends and tempests howl; The ocean-when it rolls aloud- And everlasting mountains reel-- 'Tis pealed--'tis pealed eternally! Varieties. 1. Although the truth can ne ver come to condemn, but to sare, the world has ever pronounced its condemnation. 2. Garbled extracts from any work, are no more stone, mortar, boards, glass, and nails, are a a correct representation of the work, than fair specimen of a splendid palace. 3. Never let private interest, poverty, disgrace, danger, or death, deter you--from asserting the liberty of your country, or from transmitting to posterity, the sacred rights to which you were born. 4. What are the pleasures of the bodily senses, without the pleasures of the soul? 5. Themistocles, when asked to play the iute, replied, I cannot play the fiddle, but I can make a little village a great city. 6. The skin-co-operates with the lungs in purifying the blood. 7. How shall we know that the American government, is founded on the true principles of human nature ? By learning what the true principles of human nature are and an extensive induction of facts, derived from the study of history, and our own observation. Yet, though my dust-in earth be laid, For I shall spring-beyond the tomb, Where all is light, and life, and bloom; I had a friend, that lov'd me : I was his soul: he liv'd not, but in me: If I have any joy when thou art absent, Stillest streams Of water fairest meadows; and the bird, 563. GESTURE, or a just and elegant ad- A Great Mistake. The sons of the rich so aptation of every part of the body to the sub-often die poor-and the sons of the poor so often Ject, is an essential part of oratory; and its die rich, that it has grown into a proverb; and yet, power is much greater than that of words: how many parents are laboring and toiling to ac for it is the language of nature, and makes its cumulate wealth for their children, and, at the way to the heart, without the utterance of a single word: it affects the eye, (which is the same time, raising them up in habits of indolence quickest of all our senses,) and of course, con- and extravagance. Their sons will scatter their veys impressions more speedily to the mind, property much sooner than they can gather it tothan that of the voice, which aflects the ear gether. Let them have their heads well stored with only. Nature, having given to every senti-useful knowledge, and their hearts with sound and ment and feeling its proper outward expres virtuous principles, and they will ordinarily take sion, what we often mean, does not depend so much on our words, as on our manner of care of themselves. However affluent may be his speaking them. Art-only adds ease and circumstances, yet every parent inflicts upon his gracefulness, to what nature and reason dic-son a lasting injury, who does not train him up tɔ tate. Study the Gesture Engravings thor-habits of virtue, industry and economy. oughly. All natural objects have An echo in the heart. This flesh doth thrill, With the mysterious mind and breathing mould, MADNESS AND TERROR. Stretch of Thought. A fellow-student, in consequence of too close application to study, and neglect of proper diet and exercise, became partially deranged; but being very harmless, it was thought best that he should go and come when, and where he pleased; in hope of facilitating his restoration. One Saturday afternoon, he went out through the gardens and fields, and gathered every variety of flowers, from the modest violet to the gaudy sunflower-with which he adorned himself 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 ne? 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. Anecdote. Francis I., king of France, (opponent and rival of Charles 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 buck again. 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, Varieties. 1. All those, who have pre- 7. What constitutes true mar Sheba-was never More cautious of wisdom, and fair virtue, Pursue, and overtake-the waves of time? 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 must remit, occasionally, the vehemence of to sustain, prove and confirm them; one-to col his actions, and not utter every passage with leet facts, which are only effects. and out of ther all the force, of which he is capable; so as to set oil, more strongly, the emphatical parts; to form theories; and one-to observe all these as painters make their figures stand out boll- facts, and look through them to their cause; which er, 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 confirma 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. Hence, the true theories of all things, mountain and precipice, cataract and gulph: will explain and demonstrate all things, so far as always keep some resources, and never utter the weaker with all your energy; for if they can be seen and understood; i. e. rationally you do, there will be a failing in the strong perceived, according to the state and capacity of the points the most pathetic parts. 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 legitmate 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 mint can conceive of, or think about; which is the end of things: thus we have ends, causes, and effects; In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man, But, when the blast of war blows in our ears, 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. Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it, beyond which sphere, man cannot go; for every Varieties. 1. Can what is incomprehen465. THE FOREHEAD. TO WHAT spectaty, justice, and atriotism--are qualities-of sible, be an object of thought? 2. Humani tor can the forehead appear uninteresting? Here, appear LIGHT and GLOOM; JOY and ANXIETY, STUPIDITY, IGNORANCE, and VICE, On this brazen tablet are engraved MANY combinations of SENSE and of SOUL. Here, all the GRACES revel, and all the CYCLOPS thunder. Nature has left it bare, that by it, the countenance may be ENLIGHTENED and DARKENED. At its lowest extremities, THOUGHTS--appear changed into ACTS; the mind HERE collects the powers of RESISTANCE; and HERE headlong OBSTINACY, or wise PERSEVERANCE take up their fixed. abode. That brow, which was, to me, Well might Lord Herbert write his love- universal benefit to mankind. 3. The only way to expel what is fulse from the mind, is to receive the opposite truth. 4. Faith-is saving, when we learn truths from the Bible, and live according to them. 5. A man is said to be square, when he does not, from inJustice, incline to this or that party. 6 The power of the muscles, is derived through the nerves, as the power of good is from truth. 7. Nothing remains with us, that is not received in freedom. [nighs Look nature through; 'tis revolution all: And then, alone, would Ila mourn; He, that doth public good-for multitudes, He was celebrated on account of the fore, strength, aad vehemence of his eloquence, which was excited in rousing the Athenians 10 war with the Macedonians, and in defeating his rivals, who were bribed by the latter. The characteristics of his oratory were, strength, sublimity, piercing energy and force, aided by an emphatic, and vehement elocution; he sometimes, however, degenerated into severity. In reading his orations, we do not meet with any sentiments that are very exalted: they are generally bounded by self-love and a love of the world. His father died when he was seven years old; and his guardians having wasted his property, at the age of seventeen, he appeared against them at the court, and plead his own cause successfully; which encouraged him to speak before the assembly of the people; but he made a perfect failure: after which, he retired. studied and practiced in secret, until he was twenty-fire, when he came forward again, and com menced h's brilliant career. An honest statesman-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 Moto 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 Grecce, 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 latter; and after the battle of Pharsalia, was reconciled to Cæsar. but was soon Binin by Pompilius, at the instigation of Marc Ansony. 568. Eve. Are not good sense, and good humor of more advantage than beauty? When Ada is introduced by Milion, describing Ece, in paredise, and relating to the angel, the impressions he 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 tired, 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! There have been those, that, from the deepest caves, And cells of night, and fastnesses, below The stormy dashing of the ocean-waves,Down, farther down-than gold lies hid, have nurs'd A quenchless hope, and watch'd their time, and burst On the bright day, like wakeners from the grave! Varieties. 1. When we got let as consider what we have to den we return, what we have done. 2. There are many subjects, that are not easily understood; but it is easy to misrepresent them; and when arguments cannot be controverted, it is not difficult for the uncharitable-to calumniate motives. 3. A man's true character is a greater 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 resenjul, 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 anc'e 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. She had read Her father's well-filled library-with profit- The wise man, said the Bible, walks with God, of position, denote majesty, activity, strength; the leaning-affection, respect. earnestness of entreaty dignity of composure, inditlerence, disease. The air of a person expresses a language easily understood. The husbandman, dandy, gentleman and military chief bespeak the habits and qualt es of each. The head gently reclined, denotes grief, shame; erect-courage, firmness; thrown back or shaken--dissent; forward--assent. The hand raised and inverted-repels, more elevated and extended-surprise, astonishment; placed on the mouth-silence; on the conscience: elevated--defiance; both raised and palms united-supplication; gently clasped thankfulness; wrung-agony. 569. RHETORICAL ACTION-respects the atti- | correspond. An erect attitude, and a firmness tude, gesture, and expression of the countenance. Words cannot represent certain peculiarities; they depend on the actor. Simplicity, or a strict adherence to the modesty of nature-correctness-or adaption to the word-an beauty, as opposed to awkwardness-are the principal marks of good action. Beauty belongs to objects of sight. Action should be easy, natural, varied, and directed by passion. Avoid affectation and display; for they disgust. The best artists are famous for simplicity, which has an enchanting effect, Profuse decorations indicate a wish to 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 indiscribable something, which we call nature, that perceives and recognizes the inspirations of nature; therefore, after bringing your voice under Anecdote. Tyrolese Songs. In the your control, if you enter fully into the spirit of the composition, and let your feelings prompt mountains of Tyrol, hundreds of women and Bd govern your action, you cannot greatly err. children-come out, at bed-time, and sing The victory is half won when you fully feel and their national songs, until they hear their husrealize what you read or speak. Resolve to ac-bands, fathers, and brothers, answer them quire the power, the witchery, the soul of elocu- from the hills on their return home. Upon tion-that lightning of ancient times which pour- the shore of the Adriatic, the wives of the ed a blaze of light on the darkest understanding, fishermen come down, about sunset, and and that thunder which awakens the dead. 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. They never fail-who die In a great cause: the block-may soak their gore: Hail memory, hail! in thy exhaustless mine, 570. This system teaches you to harmon-Lighter than air, Hope's summer visions fly, 17 matter and manner, to imbibe the author's If but a fleeting cloud obscure the sky; felines, to bring before you all the circum- If but a beam of sober Reason play, stances, and plunge amid the living scenes; Lo! Fancy's fairy frost-work melts away: and feel that what you describe is present, and actually passing before you. Speak of truths But, can the wiles of art, the grasp of power, as truths, not as fictions. Give the strongest, Snatch the rich relics of a well-spent hour? freest, truest expression of the natural blend- These, when the trembling spirit takes her flight, ings of thought and emotion; break thro' all Pour round her path a stream of living light, arbitrary restraint, and submit, after proper And gild those pure and perfect realms of rest, trainings, to the suggestions of reason and Where VIRTUE--triumphs, and her sons are blest. fiature. 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! 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, ad 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 eve, which is the chief seat of expression; let the internal man, and the external Varieties. 1. Costume, when once regulated by true science, and art, remains in un. changable 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 na tion make a Chinese gong? 7. Is not the American government funded 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 real ones, they become fallacies. 10. Actions-show best the nature of the law of life; and deedsshow the man. In all thy huniors, whether grave or mellow, |