specific deeds and virtues of the life that has closed. Among the Greeks the panegyric was extensively cultivated. Its subject-matter might be the splendid achievements of dead heroes, or it might voice the glory of the gods. And some instances occur in which orators proclaimed the virtues of living men in their presence. Webster makes this distinction among the words eulogy, eulogium, encomium, and panegyric.

66

The idea of praise is common to all these words. The word encomium is used of both persons and things which are the result of human action, and denotes warm praise. Eulogium and eulogy apply only to persons, and are more studied and of greater length. A panegyric was originally a set speech in a full assembly of the people, and hence denotes a more formal eulogy, couched in terms of warm and continuous praise, especially as to personal character. We may bestow encomiums on any work of art, or production of genius, without reference to the performer; we bestow eulogies, or pronounce a eulogium, upon some individual distinguished for his merit or public services; we pronounce a panegyric before an assemby gathered for the occasion."

In France this form of public speaking has acquired a noteworthy position. It came into vogue in the reign of Louis XIV., and the preachers of that day were accustomed to pronounce an elaborate funeral oration at the obsequies of the members of the court. The custom has been continued by the French Academy. When one of its number dies, another is chosen to speak of him, and the address

after being delivered is preserved in the archives of that institution.

In this country the eulogy is common, and no important man, in any department of effort, passes away without a suitable address of this sort. Legislative bodies, scientific societies, and religious associations perform this service over the members when they die. The eulogy may be in form a biographical sketch of the dead, or, as is usual, it may seek to portray the main points of his career; to give high praise to his achievements, and to draw lessons of value and inspiration from his life. A proverb says, " Speak only good of the dead," and the average eulogy, wisely or unwisely, conforms strictly with this requirement. Edward Everett's oration on Lafayette and that of George William Curtis on Wendell Phillips rank among the best eulogies that have been delivered in this country.

Eulogy.

"There have been those who have denied to Lafayette the name of a great man. What is greatness? Does goodness belong to greatness, and make an Example of essential part of it? If it does, who, I would ask, of all the prominent names in history, has run through such a career with so little reproach justly or unjustly bestowed? Are military courage and conduct the measure of greatness? Lafayette was intrusted by Washington with all kinds of service, the laborious and complicated, which required skill and patience; the perilous, that demanded nerve; and we see him performing all with entire success and brilliant reputation. Is the readiness to meet vast responsibilities a proof of greatness? The memoirs of Mr. Jefferson show us that

there was a moment in 1789, when Lafayette took upon himself, as the head of the military force, the entire responsibility of laying down the basis of the Revolution. Is the cool and brave administration of gigantic power a mark of greatness? In all the whirlwind of the Revolution, and when, as commander-in-chief of the National Guard, an organized force of three millions of men, who, for any popular purpose, needed but a word, a look, to put them in motion, we behold him ever calm, collected, disinterested; as free from affectation as selfishness; clothed not less with humility than with power. Is the voluntary return, in advancing years, to the direction of affairs, at a moment like that, when, in 1815, the ponderous machinery of the French Empire was flying asunder,-stunning, rending, crushing thousands on every side,—a mark of greatness? Lastly, is it any proof of greatness to be able, at the age of seventythree, to take the lead in a successful and bloodless revolution; to change the dynasty; to organize, exercise, and abdicate a military command of three and a half millions of men; to take up, to perform, and lay down the most momentous, delicate, and perilous duties, without passion, without hurry, without selfishness? Is it great to disregard the bribes of titles, office, money; to live, to labor, and suffer for great public ends alone; to adhere to principle under all circumstances; to stand before Europe and America conspicuous, for sixty years, in the most responsible stations, the acknowledged admiration of all men?

"There is not, throughout the world, a friend of liberty who has not dropped his head when he has heard that Lafayette is no more. Poland, Italy, Greece, Spain, Ireland, the South American Republics-every country where man is struggling to recover his birthright—have

lost a benefactor, a patron, in Lafayette. And what was it, fellow-citizens, which gave to our Lafayette his spotless fame? The love of liberty. What has consecrated his memory in the hearts of good men? The love of liberty. What nerved his youthful arm with strength, and inspired him, in the morning of his days, with sagacity and counsel? The living love of liberty. To what did he sacrifice power, and rank, and country, and freedom itself? To the horror of licentiousness,-to the sanctity of plighted faith, to the love of liberty protected by law. Thus the great principle of your Revolutionary fathers, and of your Pilgrim sires, was the rule of his life-the love of liberty protected by law."

Anniversary Address-Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address-Expository Address-Cardinal Newman, True Education-Commencement Oration-Adams, The Study and Teaching of History— After-Dinner Speaking-Grady, The New South-Homiletic Oratory.

A

The

NNIVERSARY Address is that form of public speaking which may be either a descriptive and reminiscent or a didactic discourse, of which the occasion forms the subject of the introduction. It is closely akin to the eulogy, and is Anniversary called forth upon an occasion commemoAddress. rative of some important event in history. For many years it has been customary throughout the United States for the people to assemble on Independence Day, and listen to an oration reviving the memories of that day in 1776, when the Colonies threw off the yoke of oppression and proclaimed themselves free. During the last thirty years the Anniversary Address has often been employed in celebrating the centenaries of important events. Some of the best specimens of American oratory