Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-06-24

Sauu cuuipictc. NO ndit-fOrmed ngureS,
norm ixed metaphors disfig cure the COM
position. They are at the same time u
sed as figures ought to be used, merely
for illustration. These characteristics
of elegant composition have been more
particularly remarked and inculcaied, be-
cause they form complete contrast TO
the rant and fustian which disgrace so
many OF the oratcricai efforts of the day.
The fashionable competition between o.
rators, seems ~ consist of unceasing at
tempts to Out-do each other i'm hunting
up and presenting TO view the longest
string of the most brilliant figures. The
mind often forgetting the subject under
discussion, is occupied in the search for
figures OF speech; and thus nos unfre-
quently the whole speech is made up of
figures of all characters and forms, un-
meaningly thrown together. " in all the
males OF netaphorical confusion" The
proposition, recitation, demonstration, IL
lustratiOn, and peroratiOn are all made ND
of figures. This il perhaps the greatest
ana most general error of fashionable ora
tory and eloquence and ought therefore
to be particularly guarded against. The
modern orator seems to think that he
lowers ms high pretensions TO excellency
In the oratorical art, when he stoops 10
convince the Judgment of his auditory
by the force and sofidity OF his reason-
ing. lie scars To the more sublime office
oil dazzling and captivating lis imagiuati-
on, by his brilliant flights of fancy. But
he should recollect that if even he should
succeed i'm producing this dazzling effect,
he gets nothing by his success, because
the impression thus produced is light and
fugitive; wlcrr as, If he should succeed
III getting the Judgment on his side, his
point is efectually and permanently gain
ed; and then his conquest would be fully
worth his effort. MIR. Hays argument is
chiefly addressed to the judgmcn t, and
his style of eloquence extremely we'll cal
| culated TO produce conviction. Con-
scious of the sOundueSs and beauty of
the conceptions of his own mind, he dis
dams to cover them with The trippery of
hombastic language: but strips them ma
ked to the view /; well knowing that the
preiu1iced judgment which he was adj
dressing, would be less able to resist their
| impressions when fairly seen, and fully
| understood, and when denial or course
would be impossible, than when they
were obscured by any dress of language,
however brilliant and however dazzling to
the imagination.
The clear and solid conceptions oc the
| principles of the subject in discussion !;
ana the style ana language employed III
! conveying them TO the minds of others,
are particularly recommended TO young
orators, as an excellent model for im;ta-
tion because whenever The principles of
subject are completely comprehcnded !;
the warmth and viyaciiy ofjuvenile minds,
willnever fail TO afford decoration enough,
IN presenting them 10 the minds of their
auditors.-The first and most useful, but
perhaps, not the most easy and agreeable
task for the young orator 10 perform, is
10 understand his subject thoroughly :;
and then he need not fear any failure on
the part of his imagination, fully 10 per-
form its Office in furnishing all desirable
and necessary ornament. But the point
of this speech, which calls for the most
attentive, and useful consideration, is the
merit of the argument itself connected
with The policy recommended BY ii,
which shall now be examined, without
any further observation Gil its language
| or style.