2510. ELOQUENCE, Models of.—
In a
country and government like ours, eloquence is
a powerful instrument, well worthy of the
special pursuit of our youth. Models, indeed,
of chaste and classical oratory are truly too
rare with us; nor do I recollect any remarkable
in England. Among the ancients the most
perfect specimens are perhaps to be found in
Livy, Sallust and Tacitus. Their pith and
brevity constitute perfection itself for an audience
of sages, on whom froth and fancy
would be lost in air. But in ordinary cases,
and with us particularly, more development is
necessary. For senatorial eloquence, Demosthenes
is the finest model; for the bar, Cicero.
The former had more logic, the latter more
imagination. Of the eloquence of the pen, we
have fine samples in English. Robertson,
Sterne, Addison, are of the first merit in the
different characters of composition. Hume, in
the circumstance of style, is equal to any; but
his tory principles spread a cloud over his many
and great excellences. The charms of his style
and matter have made tories of all England,
and doubtful republicans here.—
To G. W. Summers. Washington ed. vii, 231.
(M.
1822)
