C 3 1 
44 Thofe who have not fludied and been exercifed in reading 
44 fpeaking or compofing, in their own language, will not do ' 
44 either in fuch a manner as to claim or deferve attention ; 
44 and it is the talent of performing them with eafe, energy 
44 and propriety*: which we call eloquence. 
* 4 People are ufually very folicitous tahave their children in- 
44 ftructed in all thofe liberal arts, which are deemed requifite to* 
44 perfedt them as Gentlemen and Scholars : and furely as no- 
44 thing contributes more to this intention, they would not omit 
44 oratory, if they thought it Was to be learned. They lifted 
44 with rapture to the charms of eloquence, but are not aware* 
44 that it is in their power to procure this ineftimable talent' 
44 for thofe who are the objedts of their ineeflant care and daily 
44 anxfetyi**- 
— 44 This' can only arife from the erroneous idea that oratory is 
44 not to be taught or acquired. Yet no art is more fimple iil 
44 its Principles, or clearer in its rules, and no rules are more 
44 eafily reduced to pradtice, or more certainly pradtifed with 
44 fuccefs.”— 
1 44 It is granted that people may improve ■ themfelves much 
44 by private declamation. The art of eloquence, however, 
“ is in this refpedt like fencing, in which a man can learn 
44 very little by pulhing againft a wall : he may indeed 
44 ftrengthen his mufcles, and enable himfelf to bear the 
44 fatigue, but it is by frequent exertion with a mailer only 
14 that he can expedt to acquire Ikilh 
A 2 
44 It 
