Ihe Merry Past 



the said minced veal, saying that he should be gone 

 before the customary unpleasant effects of his over- 

 indulgence. 



Previous to the Rebellion, it is said Lord Lovat had 

 remained for two years in bed in a state of despon- 

 dency, but v^^hen the news of Prince Charlie's landing 

 was communicated to him, he started up, and cried, 

 " Lassie, bring me my brogues — I'll rise noo ! " 



The accession of the middle class to power, whilst 

 producing a vast amount of parochial and grand- 

 motherly legislation, has in many respects modified 

 and changed public life. 



Up to the year 1770 the exercise of public speaking 

 was confined to M.P.'s, men of the law, and a few 

 stragglers of divinity. But now the case is altered ; 

 and the wonder is, not to find a man who can speak, 

 but to find one who cannot. There is, at pres.ent, 

 scarcely a village that does not produce its orators. 



In old days the House of Commons was undoubtedly 

 the best school in the world for eloquence, which has 

 had its effect, too, upon the nation in no slight 

 degree, notwithstanding the generally received opinion 

 that the English are indifferent to the pleasures of 

 imagination and passion. Burke, Pitt, Fox, Bright, 

 Gladstone, and many others, proved to what an 

 extent fine oratory was able to move men's minds. 



It moves no one now. The art of public chatter has 

 made vast strides in popularity within the last hundred 

 years or so, with the result that a less importance is 

 attached to oratory than was formerly the case. 



At the present day the speeches of the great majority 



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