Weekly standard., 1859-12-28

neyed ore, and presenting to the lecturer all the
difficulties intended by the Horatan maxim:
e "Di6Scih est ,oropris communia deere"
Every such difficulty was more than surmounted. |
The lecture was the effort of a strong man well
prepared for his work.
We were unfortunate enough to lose the exordum
of the discourse. When we entered the hall we
found the speaker in the full tide of oratorical sue
cess The whole attention Of the audience was riv-
eted on the meaning glance the graceful gesture
all the more impressive because unstudied and the |
full tones of the voice, combining unusual compass
and sweetness. The whole action was exquisite
1t would be impossible for us to describe the mat
ter Of the lecture. The topics so various the
illustrations versatile the transitions from philo
sophica. dissertation to mirth-moving humor, from
interesting narrative to the full pathos of impassion
ed appeal so frequent and rapid that it required
all the effort of the speaker himself to harmonic the
thousand colors and forms into the unity of single
discourse. 1t was altogether rare and favorable
specimen of eloquence peculiarly American in its
style and type
Mr.. McRae's lecture bears on its face the nation
ality of its author. 1t written by an American
statesman, still young man. who has, nevertheless,
mingled long and actively, and won distinction, in
the political, social and business relations of Cis
Atlantic life; and yet, has not only found useful
hours to devote to closet study in the enthusiastic
pursuit Of literary scientific and historical lore, but
has also seized opportunities for inspiration before
the shrnes themselves of classic taste and artistic
triumph among the great trophies of the Old World.
Thus it Is that he finds himself equally at home in
an enthusiastic dissertation, well tempered with
critical accuracy the great masters of poetry from
Homer to Horace, from Virgil to Dante, from Tasso
to Shakespeare; or nicely distinguishing the COM
parative merits of the great Columbus and his
ming rival; meantime, finding marked justifcations
for the scepticism of Castlan sages in the no less
ludicrous pronunciamentos of modern wisacres or
following the worlds military chieftains through the
inner mazes which disclose the secrets of their tri
umphs and defeats or, calling up in one mighty
panorama, as it were, before the very eyes of his
audience, the lines and labors and deathess works
of Michael Angelo and of Raphael; or causing the
same audience to thrill again with the descrip
ton Of great achievements by the orators Of different
| ages, from Demosthenes to Patrick Henry; or
searching deep into the great policy and greater mo-
| tives of comprehensive craftsmanship
| The success of the effort was complete. From
first to last the audience seemed to keep pace with
intense and animated interest," which the speaker
| himself did not for a moment cease to Manifest
| Not whisper from the crowd broke in upon the
orators tones, except when they were drowned and
hushed by thunders of applause, varied by loud
sallies Of quiet humor cutting satire which occa-
sonally relieved the serener parts of the orati0n.-
Towards the close of the lecture, Mr.. McRae pro-
nounced an eloquent alluson to the present political
crisis. Like true Southern statesman, he dwet
with especial enthusiasm the great blessings
which the Union, as created and cemented by our
fathers had entailcd upon their children, and ap-
peaed to union of all patriotic energies, genius
and talent combined to rally to the maintenance Of
the Union in the purity and integrity of confederate
faith, uncontaminated by fanatical outrage. The
orator thought he saw the sunlight of awakened
servative sentiment at the North breaking through
the storm cloud of abolition intolerance and congrat
ulated the people of Virginia that the first blow Of
the tempest had stricken the State at moment
when the bark of Virginia's destiny was guided by
a helmsman who not only united the highest orders
of genius and talent, but brought to their aid the
great prerequisite of unquailing courage, tempered
with the skill and prudence of practced master
This sentiment was received with vociferous anC
long continued cheering
pecially to the young men of the Association
even of patriotic duty, the speaker closed his dis
course with most impressive appeal to the higl
religious motives which incite that untring industr,
and ceaseless devotion to duty which alone can rails
talent to the highest pedestal of exalted genius.
We earnestly trust that this is not the last lectur
which our people will hear from the lips of Duncal
K. McRae. To those of our readers who have no
seen nor heard him, we give the full assuranc
that there is "pluck and pith and marrow" in thi
son of the Old North State.-Rich. Enquirer.