The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-12-20
Castelar,, the Spanish Orator.
BY JOHN HAY.

On the exterme left of the chamber is a
young face that bears an unmistakable
seal of distinction. 1t reminds you in
stantly Of Chantreys bust Of the greatest
Of the sons of men. The same pure oval
outline, the arcbed eyebrow, the piled-up
dome Of forehead stretching outward from
the eyes, until the glossy black hair, see
ing the hopelessness of disputing the field,
has retired discouraged to the back Of the
head. This is Emilio CASTELAR,, the IN
spired tribune of Spain. This people is
SO given to exaggerated phases of com
pliment, that the highest-colored adjec-
tives lave lost their power. They have
exhausted their lexicons in speaking Of
CASTELAR,, but in this instance | would be
inclined to say that exaggeration was
well nigh impossible. 1t is true that this
speech does not move with the powerful
convincing momentum of the greatest
English and American orators 1t is
possible that its very brilliancy detracts
somewhat from its effect upon legisla-
tive body. When you see Toledo Blade
all damaskeened with frondage and flow
ers and stories of gods, you are apt to
think it less deadly than one glitteringin
naked blucness from hilt to point. Yet
the splendid sword is apt to be Of the fin
est temper. Whatever may be said of
his enduring influence upon legislation, it
seems to me there can be no difference OF
opinion in regard to his transcendent
oratorical gifts. There is something al
most superhuman in his delivery. He is
the only man | have ever seen who pro-
duces, in very truth, those astounding ef-
fects which | have always thought the
inventions of poets and the exaggerations
Of biography. Robertson, speaking oil
Pitts oratory, said, " 1t was not the tor
rent of Demosthenes, nor the splendid
conaagration Of Tully." This ceases to
be an unmeaning metaphor when you
have heard CASTELAR,. His speech is like
a torrent in its inconceivable fuency, like
raging fire in its brilliancy of color and
terribly energy of passion. Never for an
instant is the wonderful current OF decla-
nation checked by the pauses, the hest
tations, the deliberations that mark all
Anglo-Saxon debate. An entire Grafton
will be delivered with precisely the fluent
energy which veteran actor exhibits
his most passionate scenes; and when
you consider that this is not conned be-
forchand, but is struck off instantly in
the very heat and spasm of utterance, it
seems little short Of inspiration. The
most elaborate filing of fastidious rhe-
torician could not produce phrases gilmore
extensive harmony, autitheses more sharp
and shining metaphors more neatly fitting,
all uttered with distinct rapidity that
makes the despair Of stenographers. His
memory is prodigious and under perfect
discipline. He has the worlds history
at his tongues end. No fact is too in-
significant to be retained nor stale to do
service.
His action is almost energetic and i'm
passioned. 1t would be considered re.
dundant in Teutonic country If you
do not understand Spanish, there is some
thing almost insane in his gesticulation. |
remember French diplomat who came
to see him, on one of his happiest days,
and who, after looking intently at the
orator for half-hour trying to see what he
was saying, said at last in an injured tome
" Mais c'est un polichinelle, celuila.'
1t had not occurred to me that he had
made gesture. The whole man was
talking from his head to his feet.
Finally, as We cannot stay even with
CASTELAR, all night, his greatest claim to
our admiration and regard is that his
enormous talents have been consistently
devoted from boyhood to this hour to the
cause Of political and spiritual freedom.
lie is now only thirty-two years of age,
but he was orator at sixteen. lie har-
angued the mobs Of 1854 with dignity
and power that contrasted grotesquely
with his boyish figure and rosy face.
During all these eventful years he has not
for one moment faltered in his devotion
to liberal IDEAS In poverty, exile, and
persecution, as well as amid the intoxica.
ting fumes of Aattery and favor, he has
kept his faith unsullied. With his great
gifts, he might command anything from
the government, as the price of his sup
port. But he preserves his austere inde-
pendence, living solely upon bis literary
labor, and his modest salary as Professor
of History in the University.-From the
Atlantic Monthly for January.