Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-30

and suppose most persons have en-
countered, men, thinking themselves
great, who have appeared as if they
could not see one, as if one was covered
with an invisible cloak, and was, to
them, as if one did not exist; so lofty
were their optics, and so high they car
ried their nose and chin; and yet these
were not men of noble blood, high pre-
tensions, and invested with high func-
tons like Lord Castlereash; men, per-
haps, of some talent, but who seemed
to think themselves gifted with an alb
solute monopoly of genius and talent
do not think such men fit to govern
the complicated machine Of state, how
ever they may excel in some single ia
Guilty.
George Ponsonby was very indiffer-
ent speaker, though he was put at the
head of a party, and had been Lord
Chancellor of Ireland. Perhaps, he
was worn out at this time, though not
sixty; for his knowledge was scanty,
his ideas were new, and he always treat
ed subject in strangely detached
! manner, as if his whole ambition was
confined to a few epigrammatic re-
marks.
Francis Hornsr was rising speaker,
he was taken off in the flower of
his age. He was calm, rational, strong,
and so argumentative and clear, as to
fix the attention and carry with him
very frequently the conviction of part
of his audience against their will; yet
he never rose to eloquence, and had al
ways something of professional man
ner.
The manner Of Wilbeytorce had lit
tie too much of the pulpit His voice
was weak and shrill; and his person ex-
tremely unfavorable. But he had the
prudence to speak seldom except on
great topics, on which his opinions and
arguments were, from the habits Of his
life, extremely desirable TO be known
by the public.
Old George Rose spoke in gossip
ping. garrulous manner, and never had
the good luck to carry much weight
with him; while his knowledge of de-
tails was always suspected of some
party purpose.
Iie,ney made his way by fund Of
I subtle humor and drollery peculiar to
himself, which caused him to be listen
ed to, not only without fatigue, but
with eagerness and pleasure.
The tone of BrOUgham's oratory is
still in such daily exercise, that it is
unnecessary to particularize it. 1t is
often powerful, sometimes irresistible;
but sometimes deals too much in exag-
peration, and sometimes in verbiage.
Its sarcasm and irony are not easily
withstood. The accumulation is some
times peculiar, half Westmoreland,
half Scotch; and he never loses the
tone, expressions, and air Of ali advo-
cate.
Sir James Mdckintosh's matter and
language are admirable; but his voice
is weak and unmusical, and his pro-
nunciation retains great deal Of his
Scotch birth.
Peel is clear, well-arranged, intelli-
gent, and able speaker on points Of bu-
siness, but his voice is little affected,
and almost always tends to whine.
The present Chancellor of the Erche-
quer did not, al the time of which am
speaking, hold this important Office
He then spoke seldom; but when he
did rise, he always spoke with liveli-
ness, talent, vigor, knowledge, and
sound sense, and with an extraordinary
appearance of gentlemanly and honora-
BILE feeling.
1t is said that lawyers make bad
speakers in Parliament; yet it must be
observed, that most of the persons here
named, were brought up to the bar.
There is much fatigue in attending,
strictly, the multitudinous business OF
the House; and the late debates, prolon-
ged till long after midnight, are often
very wearisome; and the return home
through the night air, when the House
which is not large enough to bold all
its members, has been crowded and
hot, is very trying to the health.
1t is said, that men of genious and
high abilities do not make men of bust
ness: this is true of the details; but in a
legislative assembly, men cfgenius and
originating minds ought to be inter-
mixed in their due proportions. 1t is
true that government may not want
such minds among them; they merely
want silent vote, and do not choose
the interference or management OF any
measures but their own. 1t has been
remarked, that no one can do any thing
in Parliament individually, and uncon-
nccted with the movements and techni-
cal arrangements of party; what is
done, can only be carried, even through
the early stages, by combination, and
parliamentary tactics are as necessary
as the tactics of war. Inexperienced