THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



good judgment and ordinary imagination, a tolerable speaker, 

 especially if he set about improving himself when young — by 

 making himself master of the great events, and of the principal 

 characters which are handed down to us in history, and thus 

 laying in such a store of knowledge as will be ready at hand 

 on almost all occasions. And history will not only furnish you 

 With the best materials and groundwork of public speaking, but 

 it will also furnish j^ou with the best models. To imitate the 

 brightest examples, and to follow the steps of those who have 

 been ornaments of human nature, and an honour to their 

 country, should be the study and desire of every English 

 gentleman. Your first attempt may fail, as did that of the 

 greatest orator the world ever saw : but, like him, do not be 

 discouraged ; and remember that my first attempt was crowned 

 with complete success. The efiects of a good classical educa- 

 tion shine brilliantly when least expected, which, I believe I 

 may say, was my own case : a scripture expression has weight 

 in a popular assembly, but nothing impresses so strongly as a 

 highly classical allusion. 



' As to the line of conduct you may choose to adopt — in 

 other words, as to which side of the House you may give your 

 support — I leave that to your own discretion. My own politics 

 are soon told. I would support the rights of the people to their 

 full extent, without losing sight of the principles of the consti- 

 tution, and my duty to my king and country. We want not 

 another Theseus here, who, as Aristotle says, " parted with 

 regal poAver for popular favour " ; nor would I recommend you 

 to press" any political point further than is consonant with the 

 general sense of the community. And here I speak from what 

 I have read or seen. If any state has happened to experience 

 — to whatever cause it might be owing — a sudden change in its 

 system of government ; if an alteration in its established forms 

 has been brought about by means which were uncalled for, 

 it has almost always either relapsed into its ancient channel, 

 or else the change has been attended with very disastrous 

 circumstances. 



' My sermon is concluded. Ponder seriously, my dear 

 nephew, on what it contains, with a full assurance that it is 

 intended for your benefit, and qualify yourself for the task I 

 wish you to perform. Speech being the faculty which exalts 

 man above the rest of the creation, we must consider eloquence 



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