Institutes of Eloquence, Or, the Art of Speaking in Public; In Every Character and Capacity Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1805 edition. Excerpt: ...that is not adopted by the authority of the antients. The diction should be as pure as possible; it ought to relieve the mind by its variety, and enliven it by its transitions; and to avoid a similarity of cadence or of periods, and a sameness of expression. For a narrative in a matter of small consequence is deprived of the little arts that deck out the other parts of a pleading, and if destitute of elegance, it must make a poor appearance indeed. Add to this, that no part of the pleading requires more attention from the judge, and, for that reason, it must go for nothing, if it is amiss. Besides, there is a certain unaccountable principle in mankind, which induces them to believe with the greatest readiness the things that are told with the greatest beauty, and even the pleasure they feel wins the assent of their understanding. But, in matters of great concern we are at liberty to employ invectives against what is criminal, and to call for compassion for what is piteous; and this not with a design of finishing the movements of the passions, but of marking out their operations, so as that the outlines may give us an idea of the full re ' presentation of the figure. 1 am not even against spiriting up the judge by some lively sally of Wit, when he is fatigued with long attending a cause, especially if it can be done by throwing in something that is very concise; as when Cicero says, theslaves of Milo then acted as every man would wish his own servants should act, were he in the like circumstances. Sometimes a pleader may talk a little more freely, as the same orator does in his pleading for Cluentius; the the stepdarne, says he, weds her son-in-law; no religious rites ohserved, nolawfulau thority consulted, and every...