Litchfield enquirer., 1850-06-20

Horace HOlEGy.
The following is an extract from Prof. |
Caldwell's Eulogy on the Rev. Horace
Holley, Ii. D.. President of Pennsylvania
University, KY, who died at sea in 1929.
President Holley was q native Of Sails
bury, in this county.
Gas an orator it may be asserted Of DR..
Hollcy, as truly as it was Of the great
Chatham, in reference to his Roman vir-
tues and peerless endowments, that, in
some respects, at least he stood alone.
In that capacity, neither truth nor JUS
tice forbids me to add, that modern
degeneracy had not reached him. OIL
the orators Of antiquity, whose fame is
the theme of classical story, and who
still furnish models for the world imita-
ton, the mantle of inspiration would
seem to have descended to him and gift.
ed him like themselves. In the eloquence
Of the pulpit he was the paragon Of his
country, if not of the age. and might
calmly look down ON all the efforts Of
contemporary rivalry. Nor. in that line
Of oratory, has his superior, perhaps.
ever shed lustre on any age. Bossuet,
of France, was not more elevated, yehe>
ment, and impressive, nor Massillon him
self more enchantingly attractive. To
award to him triumphant ascendency
over Chalmers and Irving, the living
Massilon and Bossuet, of Britain, is but
to do what has been repeatedly done. by
sundry judges. whose decision is entitled
to undisputed confidence. To say the
least of them, the matter, arrangement
and language of his discourses were equal
to those of the discourses of the British |
orators and his delivery Of them incon
testibly and greatly superior. In gem
eral opulence Of diction, and splendor Of
more especially in the majes.
ty OF lofty and solemn defamation, he
left the two foreign diyinss UNNECESSARILY
behind him."
"Nol, of his powers Of analysis, when
topics Of depth and intricacy presented
tl,ems elves, am inclined to speak in
less elevated terms. Here, as on all
other points, lie dcscanted as he thought,
with accuracy, vigor, and resplendant
perspicuity. Even matters Of mystery
almost ceased to be mysterious, as they
fell from his lips irradiated by his genius. -
GAS it sbe had cast him Intentionally
in her happiest mould, and endowed him
in moment of her most abundant prodi-
gality, Nature had sho" cred on this her
favorite. in UNIV onted profusion and Of the
choicest stamp, those minor attributes.
which are so powerful in their influence,
as the exteriors Of oratory. In person
aud general aspect, as heretofore men,
toned, was not only elegant and impos.
ing. but splendidly beautiful. But, with
out any Of that delicacy. which though
peculiarly characteristic Of youth adheres
to some throughout their lives. or the
slightest admixture Of feebleness or ef-
eminacy, his beauty was as masculine as
it was rare and attractive. With astatue
of the most approved dimensions, 6g-
ure SO symetrical as to be almost fault.
less, features bold. expressive, and come
Iy, giving strength to countenance
beaming with the brightest intelligence,
and animated with the workings Of the
loftiest sentiments and the most ardent
feelings, hs truly and emphatically gave
to the world assurance of q man
take him for all in all, we shall not look
upon his like again
"Thus confgured. gifted and accom-
plished, when he assembled, in HIS flowing
toga. the pulpit or the rostrum. assumed
the air and attitude of the orator. and
threw his eyes around him on an admir-
ing audience, the presentation itself was
burst of eloquence-an exquisite exor-
dunn to a splendid discourse. Under the
illusion of the moment, the Gerius OF
Oratory, indebted for his existence to
poetic ficticn. might have been almost
fancied to have started into actual being,
and stood forth to view, clothed in The
form and aspect most suitable to ms
character. An ordinary address from
source Of such promise would have been
deep disappointment. One Of consum.
mate elegance. opulency. and force. could
alone redeem the pledge that was prot
ferred. When to these attributes were
added. a mellow. rich. and silver.toned
voice. thrilling at times with the very es-
sence of melody, and Of unusual compass.
flexibility and power an enuciation uD.
commonly clear. distinct and varied; .
manner in the highest degree tasteful
and animated. and action the most grace
ful. expressive. and,appropriate. the com.
binaticn to give to elOcution all its fas-
eination. and produce BY is aost pow
erful and indeIible effects. was as com.
plete as nature 10 her bounty could
bestow. TO render il irresistible, nothing |
was wanting but the outpourings OF .
mighty and cultivated intellect -and the
whole were united 10 the person Of the
deceased" ...A.s. 80.
"And. though man had besn silent
when his body was committed g tAe
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