Grammar, Book, which was published in 1784, and of which it is said that sixty-two million copies have been sold. Its sales largely supported Mr. Webster while he was Webster's Dictionary, working upon the great Dictionary, which appeared 1828. in 1828. The other is Lindley Murray's English Murray's Grammar, which was published in York, England, in 1795. 1795. Murray was born in this country, and lived here till 1784, when he went to England, and it was there that his literary work was done. His English Grammar was used in all schools in England and the United States for a number of years, and has therefore had an incalculable effect upon the use of the English language. Henry, Such a period as that which we are now studying Oratory. would be sure to develop oratory. During the Revolution and the times just preceding, James Otis, Samuel Adams, and John Adams were preeminent orators in Massachusetts, and Patrick Henry in Vir- Patrick ginia. Probably the last named has left the most 1736-1799. effective specimen of political oratory that remains from this period. Some of his sentences, such as "If that be treason, make the most of it," "Give me liberty or give me death," have become household words. In the latter part of the period the most distinguished political orator was Fisher Ames; Fisher Ames, 1758-1808. whom Mr. E. P. Whipple calls a "razeed Edmund Burke." We have a brilliant example of the forensic orator in William Wirt, who was born in Mary- William land, and lived in that state, and in Virginia and the District of Columbia. His most famous address was the argument in the trial of Aaron Burr. Wirt, 1772-1834. As an example of the oratory of the time, study a brief extract from an address by Fisher Ames on the character of Washington. It is indeed almost as difficult to draw his character as the portrait of virtue. The reasons are similar; our ideas of moral excellence are obscure, because they are complex, and we are obliged to resort to illustrations. Washington's example is the happiest to show what virtue is; and to delineate his character we naturally expatiate on the beauty of virtue; much must be felt and much imagined. His pre eminence is not so much to be seen in the display of any one virtue as in the possession of them all, and in the practice of the most difficult. Hereafter, therefore, his character must be studied before it will be striking; and then it will be admitted as a model, a precious one to a free republic. It is no less difficult to speak of his talents. They were adapted to lead, without dazzling, mankind; and to draw forth and employ the talents of others, without being misled by them. In this he was certainly superior, that he neither mistook nor misapplied his own. His great modesty and reserve would have concealed them, if great occasions had not called them forth; and then, as he never spoke from the affectation to shine, nor acted from any sinister motives, it is from their effects only that we are to judge of their greatness and extent. In public trusts, where men, acting conspicuously, are cautious, and in those private concerns where few conceal or resist their weaknesses, Washington was uniformly great, pursuing right conduct from right maxims. His talents were such as assist a sound judgment, and ripen with it. His prudence was consummate, and seemed to take the direction of his powers and passions; for as a soldier, he was more solicitous to avoid mistakes that might be fatal, than to perform exploits that are brilliant; and as a statesman, to adhere to just principles, however old, than to pursue novelties; and therefore, in both characters, his qualities were singularly adapted to the interest, and were tried in the greatest perils, of the country. The most striking characteristic of this passage is the smoothness of the sentences, caused largely by the careful balancing of phrases and clauses. The even, balanced character which he ascribes to Washington is reflected in the even, balanced style of the rhetoric. There is nothing to startle or to arouse and compel attention. But the language is clear, strong, and well chosen for the expression of the thought. There is no use of ornamental or of figurative language. In this respect the style is severe. The use of words shows no special preference for Saxon or for Latin derivatives. The passage cannot be called eloquent, but one can hardly fail to perceive that it is clear and forcible. QUESTIONS What are some of the general characteristics of this period? Give some of the events in the life of John Trumbull. What are some of the general characteristics of "McFingal"? In what kind of verse is it written? Give some instances of "feminine rime." Point out some imperfect rimes. What historical references and allusions in this extract? What were some of the writings in verse of President Dwight? Give some of the chief facts of the life of Joel Barlow. Describe "The Vision of Columbus" and "The Columbiad." What else did Barlow write? What is the point of peculiar interest in Alexander Wilson's poems? To which of the three great divisions of poetry do the examples thus far given belong, and why? Who were some of the earliest lyric poets? Who was the author of "Hail Columbia"? Give some account of Philip Freneau as a lyric poet. Criticise the "Wild Honeysuckle." Mention some of the best lines, and explain why they are more pleasing than others. Who are our two earliest dramatic writers in this period? Name some of the earliest writers of history and biography. Where was Benjamin Franklin born, and what was his earliest occupation? In what city did he spend the greater part of his life? Give some account of his services to science and education. What were his chief political achievements? What was "Poor Richard”? What are some of the striking qualities of the style of the first extract from the "Autobiography"? What does the second extract reveal as to his methods of study? How does the extract from Woolman compare with that from Franklin? Give some account of our first novelist. What are the names of some of his books? What are the three main elements of construction in the selection from Brown? What two great political documents of this period; and who were their authors? What is Jefferson's great gift to education? Give some account of the works of Thomas Paine. What was "The Federalist"? Who were its authors? Criticise the extract as exposition. Mention other writers in this class. What two famous school books of this period? Mention some of the distinguished orators. Criticise the extract from Fisher Ames. |