15 



knowledge of the various duties of life, the distinctions of 

 virtue and vice, and all those delicate questions which are 

 so ably and elegantlj discussed in his philosophical writ- 

 ings. 



Erom such obvious considerations it appeal's, that the ob- 

 jects of eloquence admit of but trivial variation, and in like 

 manner it will appear from a little reflection, that the man- 

 ner of treating the subjects^ of discussion is no less limited. 

 ** Initium' dicendi (says QuintiUan) dedit natura, initiutn 

 artis, observatio/' As Nature has bestowed on all men the 

 first rudiments and principles of oratory, so has observation 

 and exp erience gradually suggested tJiose rules which have 

 established it as an art^ and received the sanetion of all civi- 

 lised and enlightened nations. If w& nosv, consider what 

 that is, from' the observation and experience of which men 

 have been enabled to draw these precepts, it is immediately 

 evident that this source is human nature ; by a conformity 

 with this is the whole art to be judged, and the value of eacbi 

 particular precept to be estimated; and all the atchievemenfe 

 that have ever been performed in oratory, resulted from a 

 judicious management of the passions, intermixed with well- 

 timed appeals to the common sense of the audieace. But as 

 amidst all the fluctuations of manners and customs, the 

 diffusion of knowledge, and the progress of refinementi, 

 maukind, from the barbarian to the philosopher, partake of 

 ©ne common nature, this identity imposes on Uie orator an. 



