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stances of those who want our assistance. But considering the uncertainty of every thing about us, he must seem in a manner divested of humanity, who has no compassion for the calamities of others; since there is no affliction, which happens to any man, but either that, or some other as great, may fall upon himself. But those persons are generally soonest touched with this passion who have met with misfortunes themselves. And by how much greater the distress is, or the person appears less deserving it, the higher pity does it excite; for which reason persons are generally most moved at the misfortunes of their relations and friends, or those of the best figure and character. The orator therefore, in order to excite the greater pity, will endeavour to heighten the idea of the calamity, from the several circumstances both of the thing itself, and the person who labours under it. A fine example of this may be seen in Cicero's defence of Muræna.

Indignation, as opposed to pity, is an uneasiness at the felicity of another, who does not seem to deserve it. But this respects only external advantages, such as riches, honours, and the like; for virtues cannot be the object of this passion. Aristotle therefore says, that pity and indignation are generally to be found in the same persons, and are both evidences of a good disposition. Now the orator excites this passion, by showing the person to be unworthy of that felicity which he enjoys. And as, in order to move compassion, it is sometimes of use to compare the former happy state of the person with his present calamity, so here the greater indignation is raised, by comparing his former mean circumstances with his

present advancement: as Cicero does in the' case of Vatinius.

These are the passions with which an orator is principally concerned. In addressing to which, not only the greatest warmth and force of expression is often necessary, but he must likewise first endeavour to impress his own mind with the same passion he would excite in others, agreeably to that of Horace :

My grief with others' just proportion bears;
To make me weep, you must be first in tears.

Thus far the learned Professor Ward on that part of Oratory called Invention; in which we perceive he has followed the ancients, step by step, but not without several judicious observations of his own. On all subjects that do not admit of experiment or demonstration, I own I am a great friend to authority: and when the ancients unanimously, and almost all the moderns down to Priestley and Ward, recommend the topics or common places, I cannot think they can be unworthy of attention. Let those who do not feel themselves in want of such assistance enjoy their superiority, and leave the less-gifted part of their species to such resources as are suited to the mediocrity of their abilities. This part of Rhetoric, therefore, which ought to have been the first, is reserved to the last, that the student, if he pleases, may more easily omit the perusal of it.

Printed by S. Hamilton, Falcon-Court, Fleet-Street, London,

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