Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1871-06-24

ING can be accomplished, unless he is
thoroughly on his mettle. Late in
the day, with an audience most mixed,
exhausted, demoralized, with boys
screaming and carriages driving
through the crowd, we essayed, and
were soon made conscious that we were
not in church, nor in convention,
where everything combines to inspire
the speaker. However, we were in
for it; and, turning now to the right,
then to the left; at one time bawling
like a stentor, and then trying the
soothing, melting mood; praising,
Aattering, arguing, exhorting, we
pressed on, like Millions hero, who,
"O'er bog, or steep, through straight, rough,
With head, hands, wings or feet, pursues
his way,
And swims, or sinks, or wadee, or creeps,
or flies"
While thus attempting to hold the
somewhat mutinous and unctuous mob
beneath us, we noticed very slngu-
lar phenomenon. We saw the deaf
mutes, who filled q gallery in front Of
us, waving their handkerchief, and
cheering us on in several ways. AS
tonished at this, we looked little
backward, and beheld one Of their
teachers, who was giving them our
remarks, by signs. He was hand
some young man, and was gestlcula-
ting with such earnestness that his
whole countenance was on fire, his
visage glowing, and the sweat rolling
down his cheeks.
OF course we no more compare our
selves to an orator than we do this
teacher to Roscius: but we were at
once strongly reminded Of the Incl:
dent mentioned by Macrobius; and
wo began to reflect upon this sort Of
signal service as vehicle for our
thoughts and feelings. Beyond all
question speech is glorious endow-
,aent which raises man immcasurab!y
above the beasts. But he is also ele-
waited above them by this wonderful
power of giving utterance to his ideas
and emotions by silent eloquence.-
We have not only lips that breathe
articulate sounds but eyes that ex-
press language far more powerful,
and hands whose cunning craft can
coin an alphabet and enforce an ora
tory Of their own In the excmpliti
cation above alluded to, three facts
were self-evilent. First, the voice Of
the hand reached farther than that of
the tongue. These mutes were too
far off to hear our words, but their
eyes easily comprehended what their
teacher was transmitting. Secondly,
the impressions made by pantomilnr
were more vivid than those conveyed
BY speech. Horace 5 contrast between
tho dullness of the ear and quirknese
of the eve was strikingly illustrated,
In a word, that tie Eltca lNlght take
in the address, they had to be widoI
awake. with all their attention r!reted
on the rapid manipulations; Whereas
some good people, even good dea@ons
and ministers, seem to find themselves
highly edited and delighted by ser
mons which they never hear, during
the whole of which, in fact, they are
fast asleep We are aware how very
defective the language Of signs or gos-
lures must always be; but are not
spoken syllablos most inadequate 10
the wants, the strong cries and cray
ings of the heart? What can they do
when the soul is transported by faith
which draws aside the curtain and
looks in upon God and his invisible
things when the heart is running
ever with love which passeth know
ledge When mind, heart, soul are
ravished with joys "unspeakable and
full Of glory % How Irresistible
would be q speaker Withdrawing a !
mind furnished with truth, and a.
heart burning with celestial ardors-
could reach what the Greek orator
meant by "Action, action, action
who could be perfect master of Ian
what he choose, and as
he choose, and could adjust every part