56 



ihaa any other foim of governmenl:; since it will unite 

 the elevation of mind of the republic, with the pleasura- 

 ble disposition, the varied characters, and free expense of 

 the monarchy. We have seen, that a monarchy is fa- 

 vourable to the comic and satjTic poet. Eloquence also 

 flourishes in mixed monarchies, where deliberation is ad- 

 mitted: and assemblies, discussing the political interests of 

 the state, though not absolutely popidar, are sufficiently 

 large to give the popular form, to afford a theatre for the 

 display of oratory, and incitements to excel, that may call 

 out exertion, by a numerous audience, and the idea of a 

 public exhibition. There was no eloquence in the Roman 

 senate, after the accession of the emperor. Yet, even in 

 the parliament of Paris, bold and sublime strains of ener- 

 getic elocution were not unusual; as, when a member fell 

 on his knees, and invoked the spirit qf St. Lewis. The 

 English senate is a great school of oratory, a grand the- 

 atre for the exhibition of eloquence: the subjects of de- 

 bate are so important; the persons, who engage in them, 

 are selected from such various classes of society; the deli- 

 berations are so free and public ! 



The English government, being a mixture of various 

 forms, it should be most favourable to the progress of the 

 fine arts; as comprizing, in itself, all that is most favour- 

 able in each, to their advancement. It has popular assem- 

 blies, to promote, nay, to render necessary, the study and 

 advancement of eloquence. There is so much of the de- 

 mocratic 



