Proverbs. 1. Be just to others, that you may be just to yourself. 2. The mind of the idlernever knows what it wishes for. 3. Every rose has its thorn. 4. There is nothing good, that may not be converted to evil purposes. 5. Few persons are aware of the importance of rigid economy. 6. Do not suffer yourself to be deceived vantage of another man's ignorance. 8. The 9. A bird in the hand, is worth two in the busk. word, that has gone forth-can never be recalled. 10. That load appears light, which is borne with cheerfulness. 11. Virtue is the forerunner o happiness. 12. Foresight-is the eye of prudence. 401. TRANSITION-means, in speech, the changes of pitch, from one note to another; as from the eighth to the third: or from the sixth to the first; and vice versa; to correspond in variety and character, to the sentiment and emotion. In singing, it means changing the place of the key-note, so as to keep the tune within the scale of twenty-two-by outward appearances. 7. Never take addegrees. In transition-the pitches of voice are not only changed, but its qualities, agreeably to the nature and object of the composition; however, there must never be any sacrifice of other principles-all the proportions must be preserved. Example: An hour passed on; the Turk awoke, (8) Strike! till the last armed foe expires; Anecdote. Obey Orders. A brave veteran officer, reconnoitering a battery, which was considered impregnable, and which it was necessary to storm, laconically answered the engineers, who were endeavoring to dissuade him from the attempt;-" Gentlemen, you may think and say what you please: all I know, is,-that the American flagmust be hoisted on the ramparts to-morrow morning; for I have the order in my pocket." Effects of Perseverance. All the performances of human art, at which we look (9) Strike! for your (6) altars and your (8) fires, with praise or wonder, are instances of the (10) Strike! for the green graves of your sires, (8) God--and your native land. resistless force of perseverance; it is by this that the quarry becomes a pyramid, and that distant countries are united with canals and fect of a single stroke of a pickaxe, or of one rail-roads. If a man was to compare the efimpression of the spade, with the general design and last result, he would be overwhelm 402. To succeed in these higher parts of oratory, one must throw himself into the condition, and shape, he wishes to fill, or be, and bring the body into perfect subjection: by as suming the appropriate language of action and earnestness, he may work himself into any frame of mind, that the subject demands.ed by the sense of their disproportion; yet He must be sure to keep up the life, spirit, and energy of the composition; and let there be a light and glow in his style. He must also cultivate a bold and determined manner; for if he takes no special interest in what he is reading or speaking, he may rest assured others will not. [brave? Where sleep the Lo! from the regions of the north, THE BIBLE. Behold the Book, whose leaves display in time, surmount the greatest difficulties, and incompatible and contradictory? 2. St. Au love. God-scatters love-on every side, Maxims. 1. Bad counsel confounds the ad wrong. 3. He is greatest, who is most useful. 4. Love-and you shall be loved. 5 A great manis willing to be little. 6. Blame-is safer than praise. 7. All the devils respect virtue. 8. A sincere word was never lost. 9. Curses-always recoil upon the head of him, who imprecates them. 10. God-will not make himself manifest to coteards. 11. The love of society is natural. 403. MALE AND FEMALE VOICES. The f voices of men--are generally an octave lower viser. 2. No one can do wrong, without suffering than those of women; or, comparatively, men's voices are like the bass viol, and women's voices like the violin. The voice is made grave, that is, to run on lower pitches, by elongating, and enlarging the vocal chords; and it is made acute, that is, to run on higher pitches, by shortening and diminishing them; in connection, however, with the size of the chest, which always has its influence. Few are aware of the extent to which the voice is capable of being cultivated; and hence, we should beware of setting limits to it. If every one's internal care Were writen on his brow, Who raise our envy now! Of every aching breast, Would fully prove, that while concealed, Their lot appears the best. How calm, how beautiful, comes on The stilly hours, when storms are gone; When warring winds have died away, And clouds, beneath the glancing ray, Melt off, and leave the land and sea, S'eeping-in bright tranquillity. 404. To acquire the ability to change, at will, your pitch of voice, so as to be able o adapt the manner to the matter, practice throwing the voice on different pitches, varying from one to five, five to eight, eight to one, and in other ways; also, recite such pieces as have a number and variety of speakers, as found in dialogues; and imitate the voice and manner of each, as far as possible. But remember, no one can accomplish much, without committing the examples to memory; thus, after long practice in this way, you may make the book talk and speak. All developments are from within-out, not from without-in. Miscellaneous. 1. Two things are incumbent on the historian; to avoid stating what is false, and fully and fairly to place before us the truth. 2. One of the greatest blunders an orator can commit is, to deviate into abstruse expressions, and out of the beaten track. 3. Man-was created for a state of order, and he was in order, till he fell, or became depraved; or, what is the same thing, disordere l―i. e. the reverse of order. 4. Man is in order, when he acts from supreme love to the Lord, and charity towards his neighbar, in obedience to the Divine Will; but he is depraved, and disordered, in the degree he acts from the love of self, and the love of the world. 5. No man is compelled to evil; his consent only makes it his, A diamond, Tho' set in horn, is still a diamonu, And sparkles-as in purest gold. Anecdote. An old alderman, after having lived for fifty years on the fat of the land, and losing his great toe with a mortificatum, insisted, to his dying day, that he owed it to two grapes, which he ate one day, after dinner; he said, he felt them lie cold at his stomach the moment they were eaten. Education. The time, which we usually bestow on the instruction of our children-in principles, the reasons of which they do not understand, is worse than lost; it is teaching them to resign their faculties to authority; it is improving their memories, instead of their understandings; it is giving them credulity instead of knowledge, and it is preparing them for any kind of slavery which can be imposed on them. Whereas, if we assisted them in making experiments on themselves, induced them to attend to the consequence of every action, to adjust their little deviations, and fairly and freely to exercise their powers, they would collect facts which nothing could controvert. These facts they would deposit in their memories, as secure and eternal trea sures; they would be materials for reflection, and, in time, be formed into principles of conduct, which no circumstances or temptations could remove. This would be a method of forming a man, who would answer the end of his being, and make himself and others happy. Varteties. 1. Did not the Greek philosophy--corrupt the simplicity of the christian religion? 2. There are two sorts of popular corruption; one, when the people do not observe the laws; the other, when they are corrupted by the laws. 3. Cesar--added the punishment of confiscation, for this reason; lest the rich, by preserving their estates, should become bolder in the perpetration of crime. 4. No localities can bound the dominion, or the superiority of man. 5. What constitutes a church? Divine goodness and truth conjoined by love, and exemplified in the life. 6. Madame de Stael's idea, that architecture is like frozen music, must have been suggested on a cold day. 7. We are often made to feel, that there is another youth and age, than that which is measured from the year of our natural birth; some thoughts always find us young, and keep us so; such a thought is the love of the Universal and Eter nal Beauty. 405. STYLE-comprehends all the principles of elocution, and denotes the manner in which different kinds of composition should be read, or spoken: of course, there are as many kinds of style, as there are of composition; and unless a person has command of body and mind, he cannot harmonize his manner and matter. If in writing, stylemeans proper words, in proper places; in speaking, it must signify, proper sounds in proper places. Ex. What is wit? a meteor, bright and rare, Th't comes and goes, we know not whence, or where; O the eye's eloquence, 406. What causeth the earth to bring forth and yield her increase? Is it not the light and heat of the sun, that unlocks her native energies and gives them their power? In an analogous manner should the light of the thought, and the heat of its accompanying affection, act upon the mind, which will communicate the influence received to the whole body, and the body to the voice and actions. This is what is meant by imbibing the author's feelings, and bringing before you all the circumstances, and plunging amid the living scenes, and feeling that whatever you describe, is actually present, and passing before your mind. Proverbs. 1. A good word for a bad one--is worth much, and costs tittle. 2. He, who knows not when to be silent, knows not when to speak. 3. Oppression-causes rebellion. 4. Where content is, there is a feast. 5. The drunkard continually assaults his own life. 6. Show me a liar, and I will show you a thief. 7. That which helps tion is the foundation of happiness. 9. Most follies one man, may hinder another. 8. A good educaowe their origin to self-love. 10. No tree-takes so deep a root as prejudice. 11. Inform yourself, and instruct others. 12. Truth-is the only bond of friendship. Learning. We have been often told, that "a little learning is a dangerous thing," and we may be just as well assured, that a little bread is not the safest of all things; it would be far better to have plenty of both but the sophism-of those who use this argument, is, that they represent the choice between little and much; whereas our election must be made between little-and none at all; if the choice is to be-between a small portion of information, or of food, and absolute igno rance, or starvation, common sense gives it decision in the homely proverb-* half a loay is better than no bread." Varieties. 1. The best and surest course is never to have recourse to deception, bu: prove ourselves, in every circumstance of life equally upright and sincere. 2. The most consummate hypocrite-cannot, at a times conceal the workings of his mind. 3. When we employ money-to good purposes, it is a great blessing; but when we use it for ev and wicked ends, or become so devoted to t as to endeavor to acquire it by dishones means, it is a great curse. 4. None are so fond of secrets, as those who do not mean to 407. Lyceums and Debating societies, are keep them: such persons covel them, as admirable associations for the improvement spendthrifts do mony, for the purpose of cirof mind, and cultivation of talent, for pub-culation. 5. Burke-called the French revlic or private speaking. Franklin and Ro-olutionists, "the ablest architects of ruin, ger Sherman, (the one a printer, and the oth-that the world ever saw." 6. Trifles—always er a shoe-maker,) rose from obscurity to great require exuberance of ornament; the buildemine ice, and usefulness, by their own fing that has no strength, can be valued only forts: so may we, by using the proper for the grace of its decorations. 7. We canmeans. It was in a debating society, that not part with our heart-friends: we cannot Lord Brougham first displayed his superior let our angels go. talents and unrivaled eloquence; and there, also, HENRY CLAY, the greatest American orator, commenced his brilliant career. A word to those who would be wise is enough. Anecdote. An appropriate Sign. A man who had established a tippling-house, being about to erect his sign, requested his neighbor's advice-what inscription to put upon it. His friend replied, "I advise you to write on it-Drunkards and Beggars made here." Honor's-a sacred tie, the law of kings, The noble mind's-distinguishing perfection, That aids and strengthens virtue, when it meets her, And imitates her actions, where she is not: It ought not to be sported with. Nor fame I slight, nor for her favors call; The song and oar-of Adria's gondolier, tiful Sophia Arnold, of the number of her admirers, and wished to know how she should get rid of them. “Oh, my dear," (was the satiric reply,) "it is very easy for you to do it: you have only to speak.” 408. Public speakers ought to live longer, the point you are to aim at, is, the greatest and enjoy better health, than other persons; possible degree of usefulness. 7. He who and if they conform to the principles here only aims at little, will accomplish but little. taught, and the laws of life and health gener- Anecdote. A silly, but very pretty woally, this will be the result. Pulmonary dis-man, complained to the celebrated and beaueases may be thrown off by these exercises; the author being a living witness, having been given over at three different times with consumption. The celebrated Cuvier and Dr. Brown, the metaphysician, and many others that might be mentioned, are also witnesses Proverbs. 1. Those, who possess any rea of this truth. One reason is, that natural excellence, think and say, the least about it. 2 speaking induces one to use a very large The active only, have the true relish of life. 3. quantity of air, whereby the capacity of the Many there are, who are everything by turns, and fungs is much enlarged, the quantity of air nothing-long. 4. To treat trifles-as matters of increased, and the blood more perfectly puri-importance, is to show our own unimportance. 5. fied; the use of the whole body insures a free circulation, and, of course, contributes to universal health. Think'st thou there are no serpents in the world, The brave, 't.s sure, do never shun the light; Grief, cherished unseen, is genuine; while that, which has witnesses, may be affected. 6. Errordoes not so often arise from our ignorance of the truth, as an unwillingness to receive it. 7. Somemistake the love-for the practice of virtue, and are not so much good themselves, as they are the friends of goodness. 8. To love any one, and not do him good, when there is ability and opportunity, is a contradiction. 9. Pity-will always be his portion in adversity, who acted with kindness in prosperity. 10. The best mode of proving any science, is by exhibiting it. A Good Example. Mr. Clay, in a de twenty or thirty years, neither he nor his wife, had owed any man a dollar. Both of them, many years gone by, had come to the conclusion, that the best principle of economy was this,-"never to go in debt. To indulge your wants when you were able to do so, and to repress them when you are not able to indulge them." The example is not only an excellent one for itself, but comes from a high source. To repress a want-is one of the wisest, sufest, and most necessary principles of political economy. It prevents, not only the dangerous practice of living beyond our means, but encourages the safe precedent of living within them. If all who could, would live within their means, the world would be much happier and much better than it is. Henry Clay and his noble housewife — give us an example worthy of all imitation. Just are their thoughts, and open are their tempers; | bate upon the Loan Bill, remarked, that, for Still are they found-in the fair face of day, And heaven, and men-are judges of their actions. 409. DISEASES OF THE THROAT-are connected, particularly, with those parts of the body, which are involved in breathing, and relate to the understanding, or reasoming faculties of the mind: thus, thinking and breathing are inseparably connected together; as are feeling and acting; hence, the predominance of thought, in the exercise of the voice, or in any kind of action, and zeal without knowledge, tend directly to such perversions of mind and body, as induce, not only diseases of the throat, but even pulmonary diseases: if, then, we will to be free, in any respect, we must return to fruth and nature; for they will guide the obedient in the right way. Miscellaneous. 1. Whatever one possesses, becomes doubly valuable, by having the happiness of dividing it with a friend. 2. He who loves riches more than his friend, 2. Byron says, of Jack Bunting, “He knew does not deserve to be loved. 3. He who not what to do, and so he swore:" so we may would pass the latter part of his life with say of many a one's preposterous use of books, homor, and usefulness, must, when he is-He knew not what to do, and so he read. young, consider that he shall one day be old; and when he is old, remember that he has once been young. 4. The rolling planets, and the glorious sun, Still keep that order, which they first begun; But wretched man, alone, has gone astray, Swerved from his God, and walks another way. 5. The old live in the past, as the young do-in the future. 6. Fix upon a high standard of character: to be thought well of-is not sufficient: Varieties. 1. Is pride-a mark of talent? Wif's-a feather-Pope nas said, And ladies-do not doubt it: For those, who've least-within the head, They sin, who tell us love can die; From heaven it came, to heaven returneth. 410. DELIVERY-addresses itself to the mind through two mediums, the eye and the ear: hence, it naturally divides itself into two parts, voice and gesture; both of which must be sedulously cultivated, under the guidance of proper feeling, and correct thought. That style is the best, which is the most transparent; hence the grand aim of the elocutionist should be-perfect transparency; and when this part is attained, he will be listened to with pleasure, be perfectly understood, and do justice to his subject, his powers, and his audience. 411. YOUNG GENTLEMEN,-(said William Wirt,) you do not, I hope, expect from me, an oration for display. At my time of life, and worn down, as I am, by the toils of a laborious profession, you can no longer look for the spirit and buoyancy of youth. SPRING is the season for flowers; but I-am in the autumn of life, and you will, I hope, accept from me, the fruits of my EXPERIENCE, in lieu of the more showy, but less substantial blossoms of SPRING. I could not have been tempted hither, for the puerile purpose of DISPLAY. My visit has a much graver motive and object. It is the hope of making some suggestions, that may be serviceable in the journey of life, that is before you; of calling into action some dormant energy; of pointing your exertions to some attainable end of practical utility; in short, the hope of contributing, in some small degree, towards making you happier in yourselves, and more useful to your country. Proverbs. 1. Constant occupation-sta out temptation. 2. A flatterer-is a most dangerous enemy. 3. Unless we aim at perfection, we shall never attain it. 4. They who love the longest, love the best. 5. Pleasure-is not the rule for rest, but for health. 6. The President is but the head-servant of the people. 7. Knowledge—is not truly ours, till we have given it away. 8. Our debts, and our sins, are generally greater than we suppose. 9. Some folks-are like snakes in the bad. 11. Beauty will neither feed or cloike us. grass. 10. He-injuries the good, who spares the 12. Woman's work is never done. Anecdote. What for? After the close of the Revolutionary war, the king of Great Britain--ordered a thanksgiving to be kept throughout the kingdom. A minister of the gospel inquired of him," For what are we to give thanks? that your majesty has lost thirteen of your best provinces?" The king answered, "No." "Is it then, that your majesty has lost one hundred thousand lives of your best subjects?" "No, no!" said the king. "Is it then, that we have expended, and lost, a hundred millions of money, and for the defeat and tarnishing of your majesty's arms ?" "No such thing," said the king pleasantly. "What then, is the object of the thanksgiving?" "Oh, give thanks that it is no worse." Varieties. 1. Who does not see, in Cesar's Commentaries, the radical elements of the present French character? 2. "A man,” says Oliver Cromwell, “never rises so high, as when he knows not whither he is going." 3. The virtue, that vain persons affect to despise, might have saved them; while the beau412. The conversational-must be deliv- ty, they so highly prized, is the cause of their ered in the most natural, easy, familiar, dis-ruin. 4. He, who flatters, without designtinct, and agreeable manner; the narrative ing to benefit by it, is a fool; and whoever and didactive, with a clear and distinct artic-encourages that flattery, that has sense ulation, correct emphasis, proper inflections, and appropriate modulations; because, it is not so much your object to excite the affections, as to inform the understanding: the argumentative, and reasoning, demand great deliberation, slowness, distinctness, frequent pauses, candor, strong emphasis and occasional vehemence. No one can become a good reader and speaker, without much practice and many failures. C Pioneers. The “ eccentric" man-is generally the pioneer of mankind, cutting his way the first-into the gloomy depths of unexplored science, coming difficulties, that would check meaner spirits, and then--holding up the light of his knowledge-to guide thousands, who, but for him, would be wan dering about in all the uncertainty of ignorance, or be held in .ne fetters of some selfish policy, which they had not, of themselves -the energy to throw off. "Tis not in folly-not to scorn a fool, And scarce in human wisdom-to do more. enough to see through, is a vain coxcomb. 5. The business of the teacher-is not so much to communicate knowledge to the pupil, as to set him to thinking, and show him how to educate himself; that is, he must rather teach him the way to the fountain, than carry him to the water. 6. Many buy cheap, and sell dear; i. e. make as good bargains as they can; which is a trial of skill, between two knaves, to see which shall overreach the other; but honest men set their price and adhere to it. 7. If you put a chain round the neck of a slave, the other end fastens itself around your own. Would you then learn to dissipate the band That, in the weak man's way-like lions stand, Here to mankind indulged: control desire; |