a large assembly, and meets with no interrup tion.

Q. What disadvantages?

A. The subjects. though noble, are trite and familiar; they confine the preacher to virtues and vices, while other speakers treat of persons; there is no opposition to enliven genius and procure attention.

Q. What is the present state of the art of preaching?

A. It is far from perfection; but we have more reason to wonder that we hear so many instructive and eloquent sermons, than that we hear so few.

CONDUCT OF A DISCOURSE.

Q. How many parts are there in a regular Oration?

A. Six. The exordium; the division; the narration or explication; the reasoning; the pathetic; and the conclusion.

Q. What are the objects of the exordium, or introduction?

A. To conciliate the good-will of the hearers; to raise their attention; and render them open to persuasion.

Q. What should be some of its principal characteristics?

A. It should be natural; correct; modest;

not promising too much; conducted with calmness suitably proportioned to the subject.

Q. In what manner should the subject be brought forward?

A. In a clear and distinct manner, by few and plain words, without the least affectation. Q. What rules should be observed in the division of a discourse?

A. The several heads should be distinct from each other; the division should be natural and precise; should exhaust the subject; and should not be too minute. Five or six heads, with the sub-divisions, is usually sufficient.

Q. Where is Narration chiefly used?
A. In pleadings at the bar.

Q. Where Explication?

A. In presenting the doctrine of the text. in sermons.

Q. What are the qualities which Critics require in Narration and Explication ?

A. Distinctness, probability, and concise

ness.

Q. What may be said of the Argumentative part of a discourse?

A. That it is far the most important.

Q. What will here engage the attention of the Orator?

A. The invention of arguments; their proper arrangement; and the style in which they are to be expressed.

Q. What two methods are used by Orators in reasoning?

A. The Analytic and the Synthetic.
Q. What is the Analytic?

A. When the Orator conceals his intention concerning the point he is to prove, until he has gradually brought his hearers to the designed conclusion.

Q. What is the Synthetic ?

A. When the point to be proved is fairly laid down, and one argument after another is made to bear upon it, until the hearers are convinced. This is most generally used.

Q. Whence are all arguments drawn?

A. From truth, duty, and interest. A speaker is always either proving that something is true; is morally right; or is profitable and good.

Q. How should arguments be arranged? A. According to their strength, placing the most feeble first.

Q. In which part of a discourse does eloquence reign?

A. In the fifth, which is the Pathetic.

Q. What should be carefully considered by an Orator before he enters upon this?

A. Whether his subject admits it, and what part of the discourse is most proper for it. Q What is his most effectual method to move his hearers?

A. To be moved himself; to attend to the proper language of the passions; to make an impression, without giving notice, at a critical moment; to avoid every thing which will di

vert attention; and to retreat at the proper time and place.

Q. How should a discourse be concluded? A. Neither abruptly, nor unexpectedly, nor by a tedious lengthening of the subject, but with dignity and spirit, that the hearers may have a favourable impression of the subject and of the speaker.

PRONUNCIATION OR DELIVERY.

Q. How should a public speaker deliver his discourse?

A. So as to be fully and easily understood by all who hear him; and to speak with such grace and force as to please and move his audience.

Q. What is requisite to be fully and easily understood?

A. A due loudness of voice; distinctness of articulation; slowness; and propriety of pronunciation.

Q. How many pitches has every man in his voice?

A. Three; the high, the middle, and the. low.

Q. Which is usually employed in conversation ?

A. The middle.

Q Which should be in public speaking?
A. The same.

Q. Can we give as great power of voice to this as to the high?

A. Greater, and one much more pleasant to the hearer.

Q. What will be the effect of commencing on the high key?

A. We shall speak with pain to ourselves, and be heard with pain by our audience.

Q. What will aid a speaker in filling a house?

A. Fixing his eye upon some distant person and speaking to him.

Q. What contributes more than mere loudness of sound to our being well heard?

A. Distinct articulation. Every syllable and every letter should be heard distinctly, without slurring, whispering, or suppressing any of the proper sounds.

Q. What is requisite to distinct articulation ?

A. Moderation.

Precipitancy of speech confounds all articulation and all meaning, Q. What is the first thing to be studied by all who begin to speak in public?

A. To pronounce with a proper degree of slowness, and with full and clear articulation. Q. What should be the public pronunciation of words?

A. The same which the most polite usage sanctions in common conversation.

Q. What rule is to be observed respecting accent?