The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-02-06
WORCESTER, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY G. ISIS

MIR. Randolph has been quite oarrulous
THIS session This being his talking winter.
ne VIII probably speak on every question
which may arise. Since his return from
Europe, his dress and appearance have been
quite civilized. Yesterday, when he arose
to speak, you can hardly imagine the une-
qualied attention he commanded. The
noise OF the house settled in moment into
breathless silence, and no movement occur
red during the time he was speaking TO dis
tnfD 1t. Though he stands, probably, in the
worst situation on the whole floor, This seat
oeing nearly or quite III the centre.l vet he
Is heard with entire distinctness in every
corner of the House. His voice is sbrili
nut not unpleasant, and in the bare acting
OF speech, he is doubtless unequalled bv
any orator of the age. His attitudes and
gestures are singularly graceful, and when
he chooses, strikingly emphatic. IF thew be
studied, las am inclined to think thew are)
he has Iabored so successfully as to appear
natural. In this he has eminently the adj
vantage over the members who most of
them, IN the gladatorship of their profession.
have unaVoidably acquired tones and habits.
which no subsequent repentance can alter.
MIR. Randolph speaks clearly, slowly and
distinctly. His language is precise. and if
the word which he wishes does not occur to
him, though he be in the middle of a SEN
tence, he will wait until it does. In the
construction of his sentences, he is UNEQUAL
led tor clearness, force and beauty. and
though he is often abrupt it is never unpre-
NEGOTIATED, but always for the purpose of
adding greater effect to what he saws. Mr..
Burke could not have been more fastidious
In the choice of language than Mr.. Ran
dolph, and to this circumstance NAV be at
trlbuted his frequent attacks upon the Re-
porters, who, if they attempt to alter do not
fall to lnJure, and in the hurry of debate
some lnaccuracy is unavoidable.
lie never reasons, and in his best DAYS,
never could. A recurrence to the trial of
Judge Chace, on,which he closed for the
is clear evidence of this. His
wit, continually engaged in discovering re-
semDlances, which escape the minds of 9TH !
ers, has infatuated his mind to such slender
associations, as to incapacitate him from
dwelling upon those close connexions and
dependencies which it is the province of a
stern and powerful logic to perceive and
disclose. Had Mr. Randolph had the rood
fortune TO have been born in poverty instead
OF attiuence-had he been compelled to sub
mt his mind to the discipline of profess
sion, instead Of wandering in the groves of
classic hterature-had dependence upon
Others for his bread, as well as his fame.
driven him to curb disposition naturally
malignant, and to feel as well as express
some of the courtesies of life.-be had Lnor
oue VI ss az L. rs It Is, np
is always amusing and frequently impress
slve, rich in classical allusion and beautiful
imagery, but too inconsistent to have infu-
ence, and too eccentric to be relied upon.
sufficient dignity to inspire res
pect, he meets only that Difference which
arises from fear. His name will never be
with any great result, for he will
not afford his aid to the useful projects of
others, and has too little sympathy or too
great contempt for his species to originate
any himself Disappointed nearly in the
outset of his political career, by the refusal
of Mr.. Jefferson to appoint him minister to
France, his feelings have placed him in op-
position to every thing proposed by any but
himself, and he could no more exist in con-
neXion with any administration than an ep-
idemic disorder could extend in the pure
and bracing air of the Al pine mountains
You will pardon my attempt at delineating
the character Of one, who, perhaps more
than any other, has excited the curiosity, if
not the interest of the country.