The hydraulic press., 1861-01-19

was, 'sThe Laws of Disorder" which he excused
as a paradox. 1t not paradox, but sole
cism. In fact, there is no such thing lac of
disorder. Disorder is departure from law. If
the lecturer had used some such expression as,
"Eccentricities of the Laws of Order" he would
have come nearer the idea although we very
much doubt whether the text could have been
better fortified and illustrated by the matter of
any discourse.
We are free-to confess, that Mr.. King disap-
pointed in two particulars. In the first place.
he is not near so fine looking as we had pictured
him ard in the second, he is much more intel
lectual. We shall not be so rude as to disparage
his personal appearance but think it not i'm
proper to condemn his style of "getting himself
up" His hair, smoothed fiat down his
head, drawn rigidly back of the ears, ard pro-
jecting behind in ragged points, gives him decid-
edly the appearance of a spooney. We half
suspect he has motive in this. He probably
desires that the first sensation produced by his
appearance upon his audience, shall be of repul
sion-knowing that the reaction which is sure to
follow, must be in his favor. In this manner, by
harmless ruse, he is enabled to achieve con-
quest which, under different circumstances, it
might require a labored effort to secure.
When he ascended into the pulpit with good
looking gentleman, its regular occupant, who
ciceroned him, we had no idea that he was Tho
mas Starr King, but supposed the other one to
be the man and when he was introduced to the
audience, we could not but think of the old song,
and exclairn, in mental surprise
"What that the King, with smoothed-down
hair
/ saw fellow at Bartely Fair
Looked more like King thanth chap there"
From that moment we had no time for further
conjecture comment or critical scrutiny. The
voice which we soon heard was deep, musical
and distinct in its intonations. The manner of
the lecturer was imposing, but unobtrusive, with
few gestures, and those always graceful and ap
propriate; and his matter of that solid kind
which springs from thoroughly educated and
disciplined mind-vigorous, Illustrative, instruc-
tive, logical and convincing. His language is
chaste, fluent and choice. He uses just SO many
words as are necessary to trace an argument Or
beautify a silnlie; is always entertaining, and
never monotonous or verbose. His originality
is apparant in every sentence he utters. Old
truths are presented in new and attractive forms.
His mind develops singular powers of analysis
1t pursues thought down to the root, exposes
the germ, divides and particles it, till no quality
.or attribute of it remains which he does not
probe and explain. There is a mathematical
precision in his approach to each separate fea-
ture of subject. He marshals the distinctive
parts into line assigns them duties, and then, by
skillful device of genius, weayes them into
the main fabric, where they are essential and
harmonious.
His greatest power, perhaps, consists in his
complete knowledge of his subject. Nothing
that comes from him is superficial incongru-
Gus. He has first refined his ideas before he
commits them to paper. He knows their strength
and the effect they will produce. So constant is
the food of information with which he over
whelms his hearers, that they have no opportu-
nifty nor wish to withdraw their attention from
him. History and the classics are rifled of their
treasures to subServe his demands. Without
being clamorous in his defamation, the modu-
lations of his voice, the elegance of his dction,
the well-timed emphasis of particular Words the
forcible Ulimaxes to his gracefully rounded peri
DDS, give him mastery over his audience, which
enables him to sweep along the current of their
feelings, exciting within their besoms such emo
tions as he may choose to inspire. The base OF
his eloquence is undoubtedly substance, with no
more ornamental adjectives than necessary
to render the perspective bold and the language
ornate. When he uses figure, it becomes an
illuscry SYMBOL so strikinoly is it presented for
the admiration of the minds eye.
But we have gone beyond our intention in PEN
ming this article. From having been somewhat
prejudiced against Mr.. King-it was the "T.
Starr that did tive were led to utter growl
or two, for which these remarks are made by way
of reparation. He is truly an intellectual giant !;
and we hope some day before long, our fellow
townsmen may enjoy opportunity of hearing
him.
4