'58 ADVANTAGE OF RULES 



siduously cultivated at home the arts of peace, and by the refinements 

 of their domestic occupations, threw a softening influence over the asper- 

 ities of war. We are prone, in perusing the history of the past, to 

 fasten our attention and to gaze with admiration upon the glorious ex- 

 ploits of military chieftains. Battles, sieges and all the horrors of war 

 lead the imagination captive, as if the human mind delighted most in 

 the contemplation of blood and slaughter. We are very much mista- 

 ken if we suppose that the consequences flowing from the desolations 

 of mighty conquerors are to be compared in the extent of their influ- 

 ence upon society with the arts of peace. The one is the result of brute 

 force, the other of reason and intelligence. The one descends upon the 

 earth like a tornado wasting and destroying every thing lying in its path. 

 The other diffusing itself gradually, like the genial heat of the opening 

 spring, pervades all classes of society, cheering and invigorating. 



ADVANTAGE OF RULES ON ELOQUENCE. 



The nature of suitable rides to direct us in the study of eloquence, 

 as well as our own experience, proves that they are highly important, 

 and that without a knowledge of them, we can accomplish but little in 

 that interesting and most beautiful art. But the nature of these rules 

 ^ and our experience, also teach us, on the other hand, that we may pos- 

 sess a knowledge of them, and yet derive little or no advantage from it. 

 Apart from learrfing and genius, rules are of no advantage in the elabo- 

 ration of a discourse, except it be to enable us to judge more accurately 

 of its plan and arrangement. In connection with genius, rules are un- 

 doubtedly of great advantage ; yet they cannot teach us their proper ap- 

 plication ; this must be managed by our own good judgment and taste. 



Rules may even lead a good genius astray. They are general and 

 imperfect, and not always necessary. Much is left for the writer or 

 speaker who has even the most extensive knowledge of rules and direc- 

 tions to accomplish. Good rules on eloquence may be regarded as pre- 

 scriptions of sound reason, which are founded on experience, and the 

 nature of things. They are laws which arise from the nature of the 

 art itself. 



Our object in speaking or writing is evidently to convince and move 

 the minds of men, who have precisely the same nature which we pos- 

 sess ourselves, and therefore our own understanding and feelings should 

 direct us. Experience will show whether we have collected and inven- 

 ted the most appropriate matter, and whether it has been most success- 

 fully arranged. Our feelings will teach us how the subject must be 



