Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-05


John 3. Cough in England.
Previous to his departure for England Mr. Cough
entertained doubts of his success in lecturing to
English audiences. He assured friend that he
knew he should make failure, thathis subject,
his style, his everything, would not suit English
audiences. But 1t seems that he misjudged-as
will be seen from the following extract from the
British Banner, edited by Dir Campbell:
"Mr Cough is a well adjusted mixture of the
poet, orator, and dramatist-in fact, an English
Gavazzi. Cough is in all respects-in stature,
In voice, and in force of manner-on scale
considerably lower than the great Italian orator.
Gavazzi Is more grand, more tragic, more thor
oughly Italian, but less adapted to an English aua
ditory. In their natural attributes, however, they
have much in common. II Gavazzi possesses
more power, Cough has more pathos This is
the main difference, the chief distinction: and
here the difference Is in favor Of Cough. Cough
exces Gavazz in pathos, far more than Gayazzi
exces Cough in power. Then, Cough is more
moderate in his theatrical displays. He paints
much more, and acts much less; while as to force
and general effect, he is, of course, on high van.
tage ground, speaking his native tongue, and
among his fellow counlTymen. He is in this re.
spect IN England what Gavazz would be in
Italy. Both find, and find to an equal extent,
their account in their hstrionic manner. The
orable TO the economy of strength and large
measure of repose pervades the whole exhibition
Resting himstf he gives rest to his audience.
both remain unwearied till the end. There is an
utter absence OF all mental perturbation; before
ne commences, there seems no idea OF his being
about to do any thing extraordinary; when he has
finished, that anything extraordinary has been
performed. 1t seems to be as much IA matter of
course walking or running, sitting down or
rising up. His self command is perfect: and
hence, his control over an assembly is complete
Governing himself, he easily governs all around
him. 1t was impossible for any man TO have beea
more thoroughly at home than he was last night
Like a well bred man, once on his feet there was
the utter absence alike of bashfulness and ilnpu-
dence.
"1he address was entirely without order of
any sort; nay, Cor this the assembly was prepared
al the outset, by the inlimallon thai he had never
written and never pIemeditated speech in his
life. Last night, the address was succession of
pictures, delivered IN manner the most natural
ard hence, at one time, feeling was in the ascend
ancy, and at another, power. His gifts of mimi
cry seemed great; this periIous, though valuable
faculty, however, was but sparingly exercised
IT is only as the lightning, in single FASH illum-
mating all, and gone, making way for the rolling
peal and falling torrent. Throughout the whole
OF last night he addressed himself to the fancy
and to the heart We cannot doubt, however.
that Mr. Cough is, in a very high degree, capable
OF deallnglwlth principles, and graphing with an
adversary by way of argument ;but he adopted
different, and, as we think, much wiser course
for first appearance.
The mode of of address is one of which man.
kind will never tire, till human nature becomes
Invested OF its inherent properties He recited
series OF strikngly pertinent facts all of which he
CDt in ham Itnl NTatr
the unity of the impression, while nothing could
be more multliarious than the means employed
to etec- it. 1t was a species of mortar-firing in
which old rails broken bottles chips ofiron, and
BITS OF metal, together with ball of lead-any-
thing, everything partaking of the nature O a
missil-was available. The compound mass was
showered forth with resistless might and power
full execution The great idea which was upper.
most all this evening, was the evils of drinking;
and under deep conviction of that truth, every
man must have left the assembly
The conclusion to which we have come then.
is that the merits of Mr. Cough have been bv no
means overrated. In England he would stand
quite as high he has taken in the United
States There is no hazerd now in saving that
thre will be no disappointment He will nowhere
fail to equal, if not 10 surpass expectation; and
his triumph will, among Engshmen, be all the
more complete, from the utter absence of all pre-
tensions His air makes promise of noting; and
hence all that is given is so much above the con-
tract. 1t Is impossible to conceive of anything
more entirely free from empiricism From first
to last 1t is nature acting in one of her fayorite
sons Oratorcally considered, he is never at fault.
While the vocable pronunciation, with scarcely
an exception, is perfect, the elocutionary element
Is every way worthy fit. He is wholly free, on
the one hand from heavy monotony, and on the
other, from ranting defamation, properly So
called. There is no mouthing-no stilted shout
ing His whole speaking eminently true;
there's nothing false either in tone or reflection;
and the same remark applies to emphasis Anis
truth; the result is undertaking pleasure, and ir-
resistible impression. His air is that of a man
who never thought five minutes on the subject Of
public speaking, but who surrendered himself to
the guidance of his genius, while he oft times
snatches grace beyond the reach of art"