Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-24

they still retain of the exuvi Of that animal exist
whose coil they the point Of shutting off, and
have not yet fully realized their manfest destiny but
gone far enough the to give sure
of that of animal which they striving by the
nisus nature) to become Now, whatever may think
of this ingenious speculation in physical physiologi
cal point of view, intend to it in order to illustrate
notion Of John Fosters genesis of IDEAS evinced
by their expression. We detect in his style the
exuvi@ of that cumbersome speech which his vigorous
telect yainy endeavored to slough off in attempting to
rise to the height Of his grand conceptions The whole
process reminds Of the generations which the Of
Milton beheld, when
--t' The earth obeyd, and straight
Opening her fertile womb teem'd at "a birth
Innnm'rous living creatures
The grassy clods now caly'd; now half appeard
The tawny lion, paving to get free
His hinder parts.
Scarce from his mould
Behemoth, biggest born of earth, upheayed
His yastness."
But yet with all its drawbaoks the style Of Foster has
certain pccuIariscS which the natural dress OF
master mind and he without intending it. has passed
compliment himself in The following observations:
sof all the kinds of writing" he remarks, that ap-
pears incomparably the best which is distinguished
BY grand and prominent buks which stand out in
magnitude from the groundwork and impe the mind
by succession of separate strong impulses rather than
continuity of agreeable sentiment. One has read and
heard very sensible discourses which resembed plain
handsome brick wall. Give me, on the contrary, style
of writing that shall resemble wall that has the srk
ing rreguarty of pilasters pictures inches and sta
tues"
He could not have given better description Of his
style this respect if he had had himself in view when
writing it. But have particular to allege
much in defence of Fosters composition whole
the contrary, rather him grudge for having as
professor Of rhetoric assured contributed by
the infection of his example the contorons and nver
sons which diction And for this same rea
son he is not author whom we.would recommend to
those in early life who seeking to cultivate the amen
ties of graceful and easy phraseoogy. If they make
him their model they may become strong writer's but will
certainly fall short of Addisonian elegance.
1t remains for us to add that Foster quite
couth his and dress in his style of compost
ton. He wore On old brown wig with frzzled curls /;
astrde his was pair of large svermounted spec
tacles with circular glasses big pennypieces he
usually sported old blue coat with bright brass but
tons which hung bagggy about his large bony frame
below pair of corduroy breeches good deal too
short in the legs and shoes that would have been fatal to
cordonni ronfais Such the clerical attire of this
distinguished preacher, thinker, and author, to whom
and to Robert Hall the English Baptiss long pointed
with just pride the great lights of their denomination
and the glory of British dissent And there not want
ing those who still prefer the prose of Foster with its
numbering and unsteady movement the faaltess har-
mony of Robert Halls matchess periods The eloquence
of Hall is majestic but is majesty in repose the intel
ectua play of Foster is that of Titan, tumbng down
massy fragments of originality to his own words, and
making not only the sagnant stream of mems thoughts
to foam and fash but crushing many creeping things
sman buzzing objections, shiny worldlinesses-found in
the way.