Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-16

claiming, he spoke before looking
glass, and carefully observed the move
mcnt of every muscle. But, he had 9TH
or impcdiments to conquer. A difficult
lty of pronunciation and q weakness of
the lungs, checked his progress, in his
favorite employment. To correct the
stammcring of his voice, he declaimed,
with pebbles in his mouth, and that he
might acquire an energetic and forciblc
pronunciation, he ran up the most diflii-
cult, and the stccpcst walks; and de-
claimed from time to time to the waves,
as they dashed furiously to the shore, that
he might become accustomed to the,
noise and hustle of the public assemblies.
To check all curiosity, of appearing in
public, he shaved one half of his head,
and in his gloomy retreat, by the aid of
a glimmcring lamp, composed those ora
tons, which have ever been studied, and
admired. Thus, he rose from his hum
BILE station, to one of the greatest inhu-
encc among his countrymen, conquer
ing by untiring diligence, every obstacle,
which opposed his progress. Cicero has
sometimes been compared with him, but
a comparison between the two, seems
rather difficult they both attained a
great degree of perfection, but by dia-
metrically opposite means. Cicero, was
born at Arpinum; he was the son of a
Roman Knight. After displaying un-
common abilities at school, he was taught
philosophy by Piso, and law, by Mutius
Scaevola, a Roman Consul, and ac-
quired knowledge of military tactics
under Sylla; he retired from Rome, at
that time, disturbed by factions and jeal-
ousies, to indulge in philosophic medita-
tions; he was naturally of slender and
delicate constitution, and visited Greece
to improve his health. At the anxious
solicitations of his friends, who were we'll
acquainted with his superior abilities, he
returned to Rome, where he gave up
himself exclusively to the studies of orato-
ry, and soon became distinguished above
all others, as speaker in the Roman
forum. In this exalted station, he gain
ed the confidence and respect of his
countrymen, and passed through the Of
fees of edile and praetor, and was fl
nally elected consul, the highest Office in
the gift of his country where he dis
charged the intricate duties of that sta
ton, with honor and fidelity-he success
fully opposed the conspirator Cataline,
and discovered to the Senate the in
trigues ofthat subtle enemy. The abrupt
style in which he addressed him, on his
appearance among the senators, who had
assembled in the Temple of Jupiter Sta
tor, and the charges which he brought
against him, are well known. But amid
all his popularity, his situation was criti-
cal-surroundcd Oh all sides by conspira-
tors, his life was in continual jeopardy,
and if at times he betrayed some emo
tons of fear for his own safety, we must
rather impute it to the period in which
he lived, than to want Of patriostism.-
After accusing Cataline Of treason, be-
fore the Senate, his efforts were for a
while, in measure baflled, as his evi-
dence did not appear perfectly clear
he, however, persevercd in his accusa-
tons, and by his own cxertions, and the
information of his friends, saved his own
life, and Rome from general ruin; and
for his signal services, was styled the
father Of his country, and a second jound-
er of Rome. The impetuosity, with
which he attacked the liccntious Clodius,
caused his banishmcnt, although his
cause was supported by twenty thou
sand young men. In his banishment he
was courted and admired by all, and af-
ter the factions had ceased at Rome, was
RECALLED, and entered that city with uni
versal popularity--he was afterwards
honored with triumph, for his service
to his country, but was prevented from
employing it, by the disturbances, which
at that time, prevailed at Rome. In the
civil commotions between Pompey and
Caesar, we find him irresolute, not know
ing which party to join. After much
hesitation, he determined to support the
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