and to restrain his petulant promptitude of speech by a few questions of this nature. To these ostentatious ornaments, so conspicuous in his speeches, does he add those which are derived from polished erudition-which in youth, a state entitled to every indulgence, we listen to with praise? Does he attend sufficiently to those events which modern times revere as sacred? Or is his mind enriched with those stories of ancient literature, which are not only delightful to hear, but in illustration are considered as equally authentic and satisfactory? Does he apply those words which breathe and glow, the delight of the studious and the learned, happily to his subject, or introduce them in his speeches with effect? Does he communicate any thing uncommonly exquisite, any thing fully adequate to the expectation of those whose learning is extensive, and whose judgments are mature? any thing, in short, to which men of continued experience, or even men of more moderate attainments, can ascribe the praise of originality? Of these perfections he possessed none. I am therefore less reluctant in allowing him the merit of that eloquence which is trite and common. I will go further; I will acknowledge, and it is one perfection of an orator, that he discovers marks of considerable attention, that he has received some benefit from reading. But if, at any time, somewhat peculiarly exquisite has been introduced in his speeches, which has not frequently happened, it is to me sufficiently obvious that he has drawn it from other sources than his own.

It is not very long since he left with disdain

our inferior courts, as places of drudgery, ill suited to his talents. But what others usually attain from art, or from habit, we may suppose him to have received from nature, or from the slightest application possible. Hence it happens that common phrases appear floating about an immense ocean of words, some from Livy, others from Lucan, both well known to schoolboys and smatterers in learning: so that his style of oratory upon some occasions marks the declaimer from the schools; at others, the wrangler from the bar. Let it by no means be imputed to him as a merit, that he never expresses alarm about the events of debate, or that he despises the magnitude and difficulty of the affairs to be conducted, however serious and extensive. Marcus Crassus made no scruple of confessing that, when beginning to speak, he frequently turned pale, was discomposed in his mind, and trembled in every limb. Cicero also acknowledges, that whenever the remembrance of the day in which he was to speak occurred, he was not only agitated in his mind, but he showed his agitation outwardly. But no one ever saw our present minister in the smallest degree disordered by fear, or embarrassed by that ingenuous and lovely modesty, so becoming in the youthful character. There are some, I know, who esteem this an admirable quality *; but, in the opinion of Marcus Crassus, the best and the finest speakers may well deserve the imputation of impudence, if they do not rise with some degree of timidity, and show some little embarrassment at the commencement of their speeches.

* Cicero.

Young men may, indeed, be expected both to speak more copiously, and to use more daring expressions. But there is nothing in the nature of things which unfolds itself all at once, or exhibits in one moment all its constituent parts: if therefore the immature brow of the orator be precipitately hardened, if he assume rashly the more obnoxious qualities, what might have been produced and prepared in the best part of life, with the happiest effect, is altogether abased. For I would ask, are not the seeds of arrogance planted? Does not a rash confidence anticipate the powers of the mind? Does not the orator become tumid, self-conceited, and eloquent, to the injury of the public?

Whether Hume was possessed of that sagacity which almost claims the appellation of divine, I pretend not to determine; but I well know this is not the character which that philosopher esteemed the pride and the ornament of a listening senate. They who are versed in these things, and who form their judgment with cool deliberation, will, I doubt not, afford me their cheerful assent, when I declare that the words of Cicero, as applicable to some recent affairs, seemed marked by a prophetic spirit. "When he who as an orator had often been moderate, and sometimes had risen to excellence, omitting the study of wisdom, had obtained nothing beyond oratorical ability; it happened that, in the opinion of the multitude and himself, he was deemed a proper person to guide the helm of government*

* Cic. Rhet.

If we seriously contemplate this young man's character, we shall see him at one time conceitedly vain of his very absurdities; at another, in the midst of difficulties, perplexed and ignorant: and are obliged to confess that no individual was ever so unlike himself. Upon other occasions he is vehement and irritable, scattering his insolent reproaches around him, and attempting the possession of his object by the most hostile violence. In some things he resembles the character of Lancaster, as described by Shakspeare's Jolly Knight, whose facetiousness and goodly stuffed body, the servile companions of him whom we describe, hold in deadly abhorrence. "This

same young sober-blooded boy doth not love me: nor a man cannot make him laugh; but that's no marvel, he drinks no wine. There's never any of these demure boys come to any proof; for their drink doth so overcool their blood, and making many fish meals, that they fall into a kind of male green sickness +".

The one day he appears so tied down and constrained by certain prejudices of sentiment, that, like the ancient dogmatists, he is compelled, that his dignity or firmness may not be questioned, to vindicate what it is impossible he should approve. The morrow perhaps effects a total change in his opinions; and he thinks nothing so indiscreet, so unbecoming the gravity of a wise man, as to defend with perseverance what he has not very seriously investigated. Then again, like the daw, bold and gaudy in its borrowed colours, he scruples not to insult with vulgar contumely the ears + Henry IV. Part 11. Act iv. Sc. 7.

of them to whose sagacity he owes whatever is pure and prudent in his counsels.

He has learned from Minucius to consider him as the first character, who is himself competent to determine wisely; the next is he who is obedient to wise instructors. He therefore takes every possible means to make it appear, that he is fully capable of conducting with discretion his own concerns, and still not averse to listen to advice. It makes, however, a wonderful difference, whether you take from another modestly what may be applied to your own advantage, or whether you snatch it with indecent violence. When domestic resources are poor and contracted, necessity may prompt, and somewhat extenuate an attack upon the property of others. But it is the mark of a mean and invidious disposition, of a mind equally reluctant to yield, and unable by fair and honourable contest to obtain the victory, to load those with vindictive reproaches who have been the instruments of our benefit*. He who does not disdain being instructed by an enemy, should at least allow that enemy the merit he deserves.

DR. PARR.

THE RIGHT HON. R. B. SHERIDAN. Ir cannot, however, be denied that there are some amongst his adversaries (Mr. Pitt's) with whom he consistently avoids the encounter: for he fails in obtaining the applause even of his friends, whenever he opposes himself to that man * Virgil.