Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-12-02
NEWPORT LYCEUM.
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.


Hon. Asher Robbins, on Friday night last
II The venerable orator discoursed on theme,
intimately connected with those classical stud.
les, which have employed the best hours of his
life, and which, now constitute, the delight and
solace Of his old age. His oration was splen-
did effort Of sloquencs, Of which, relying en-
tirely upon memory, can only give an imper-
II feet outline. This sketch is intended to repre-
sent merely the train of thought, without i'm.
parting any idea Of the eloquence with which
it was enforced.
After some eloquent remarks upon Classical
literature, that literature--which is endowed
with an innate mmortalty--wliich confers per-
petuity on ITSELF Mr.. Robbins advanced his
main proposition that the great means of ele-
vaiiDg American Literature to the Classical
standard. was the study Of EiOq1snee-by max
ing all studies, and all arts concentre in the one
great ar, Of Eloquenco. Greece made Flo.
quence the central point Of all her studies
Every ar, was made auxiliary to this one study
She made music contribute to the perfection of
study in Greece. 1t was interviewer in the
very texture Of her language. Her language,
when written, had all the perfection Of music,
and at the same time perfect truth to nature -
We, in this day, have no conception Of the
melody of the Greek language, when spoken
with the Grecian ore rotnndo. This ilnstra-
ton of making music tributary TO Eioquence,
was followed by the illustration Of other
porlance which Greece gave to Ethical Sci,
ence--the study of man mature, in the forn.a
ton Of the orator, was insisted upon,
\ The plan which Greece adopted to raise her
literature to the classical standard, was a sys.
TEN of exercises, and those exercises governed
by fixed rules. BY these exercises, each facul-
| ty was cultivated to perfection, the memory,
the reason, the magination, the taste, the NOR
al seDsblity. The instances, mentioned by
Plutarch, Of the perfection, to which memory
was carried, are, almost, incredible, yet not
more incredible, than the perfection TO which
the other faculties wero carried, as eIemplifcd
| IN their own llninOrtaI NorKs.
The ancient method of study differs from the
modern. With Tho ancients, ability was the
great object. knowledge was regarded, as
subsidiary. With tho moderns, knowledge is
the leading object, and ability the incidental
There is nothing striking in the classical
literature of Greece aud Rome, az its thorough
impregna,ion with that genial eloquence, which
antics the charms of all arts, and all arts in
their pcrinction,-tbe energies of all the facul-
ties, and oil the faculties in their perfcction-
The greater part Of the poetry of Greece, was
formed Of eioquence, Her philosophy had all
the eloquence Of her poetry, without its metre.
h The orations Of Demosthenes united The charms
of both
| Yet there is prejudice against EIoqnence.
| This prejudice has been cherished by the au.
tbority of great namos. Locke in his treatise
on education disparages Eioqncnco. This pre-
judicc is untoundcd, and proceeds from the
most gross misunderstanding Of the nature and
scope of Eloquence. 1t is directed against that
art, which gives triumph to truth, and empire
20 virtue, which draws contribution from all
acts, aud whose mastery is to be attained, only
by that mind, which shal! have all its faculties
perfectly developed. Why is seloqucnce resist
less Why docs il ensure triumph to truth,
and empire to virtue Why, but because rea-
son arms herself with the affections. The one
takes possession vi the understanding, the other
of the heart 70 identify this oloquence with
that which is now prevalent under that abused
title, is to mistake the false for the true, the
shadow for the substance. This Eloquence is
essential to raise any literature to the classical
standard to ensure it Immortality When
elected in Greece, the literature produced,
was Of perishable character. So in Rome
SO in modern nations. The only approach
which the moderns have made, To a litcr,,Iure
ofthe classical standard, was, whilst cmulalng
and studying the old models Of Greek and Ro-
man literature.
II The Orator, then alluded to a variety Of in
tercstng topics, ultimately connected with his
subject, but the discussion of which would dc.
mand course Of lectures. lie would conclude,
therefore, with few remarks on Que on "
H Is il possible to raise American Literature to
the classical siapdard u this perfection at
tainablc Why not' What man has accom-.
II plishcd man can accomplish Noble deeds
come of noble daring The history ofnankn1
exhibits splendid instances Of success, where
| the determination had been taken to succeed.
| Philip, King of Maccdon, aspired TO the sove-
reigniy of Greece be accomplished it by dar-
ing. A village of Italy consisting of few
refugees from Troy, aspired to the Empire of
the world. BY during, It accomplished it, To
| succeed in elovating our literature to the cas-
Il sical standard, we must dare To succeed.
II We have the models before us--thc Poems
/ of Homer, the Disoourscs ofPlato, the Oratons
II of Dcmosthoncs, nc. We fluid in them clear
H analysis, of the means, by which Greek genius
II arrived at perfection. We have all the sl,.
II ments, that Greece had TO mould into the vari.
Gus forms Of literature, with one exception, her
II language--tho most perfect language ever Civ
II en- ~ nation. But with regard To the English
II language, who can calculate the degree Of por-
II fcciion, to which it may attain, when cultivated
IN classical principles---whcn wrought by
minds under the guidance Of the ancient Greek
II system of education. There is no want of ge-
II MUS in America, 10 carry out this system, to
II accomplish tho great end OF this system, the
II elevation of American literature To the classical
standard. Genius is not thing by itself. II
H is tho faculties, directed by accident to a par
H iicular study, with zeal, aud pcrsc, crancc,
H which ensures success. The classical works %:
II Greece and Itprre, were produced al particular
II periods. la the iobrsals, the sepius was there,
II bui dormant. Genius is Indigenous in Amer.
ca, 40 pf old in Greece. This nation has great,
aud noble impulses. The American character
II partakes of the nature OF tho Eaglo--our na.
II ioua emblem. II has in it, ell that is great,
and daring We want the American mind
thus amply endowed by natur..to bn disciplined