'make him any amends for his fad ca'tastrophe.

The truth is, the forum (that fingle ' remain which now furvives of antient oratory) is, even in it's prefent fituation, an evident proof that all things amongst us are not conducted in that 'well-ordered manner one could wish. For, tell me, is it not the guilty or the miferable alone, that fly to us for as'fittance? When any community implores our protection, is it not because it either is infulted by fome neighbouring ftate, or torn by domeftic feuds? And what province ever feeks our patronage, till fhe has been plundered or oppreffed? But far better it furely is, never to have been injured, than at laft to be redreffed. If there was a government in the world free from commotions,and difturbances, the pro'feffion of oratory would there be as 'ufelefs, as that of medicine to the found: and as the phyfician would have little practice or profit among the healthy and the strong, fo neither would the orator have much bufinefs or honour where obedience and good man'ners univerfally prevail. To what ⚫ purpose are fiudied fpeeches in a fenate, where the better and the major part of the affembly are already of one nind? What the expediency of haranguing the populace, where public affairs are not determined by the voice of an ignorant and giddy multitude, but by the steady wildom of a fingle 'perfon? To what end voluntary informations, where crimes are unfrequent and inconfiderable? or of la

boured and invidious defences, where the clemency of the judge is ever on the fide of the accufed? Believe me, then, my worthy (and, as far as the • circumstances of the age require, my eloquent) friends, had the gods reverfed the date of your existence, and placed You in the times of thole antients we fo much admire, and Them in yours; You would not have fallen fhort of that glorious spirit which diftinguished their oratory, nor would they have been deftitute of a proper temperature and moderation. But fince a high reputation for eloquence is not confiftent with great repofe in the public; let every age enjoy it's own peculiar advantages, without derogating from thofe of a former.'

Maternus having ended, Meffalla obferved, that there were fome points which his friend had laid down, that were not perfectly agreeable to his fentiments; as there were others, which he wifhed to hear explained more at large

But the time is now,' faid he, too far advanced. If I have main'tained any thing,' replied Maternus, which requires to be opened more explicitly, I fall be ready to clear it up in fome future conference.' At the fame time, rifing from his feat and embracing Aper- Meffalla and I,' continued he, fmiling, fhall arraign you, be well affured, before the poets and admirers of the antients. And I both of you,' returned Aper, before the rhetoricians. Thus we parted in mutual good humour.