The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-09

Every change in the constituents. implements ana
agencies OF civilization works change i'll its centre
OF gravity The modern Journalist stands in the
boots of the ancient concionator. If Demosthenes
were alive to-day he would find his bema in the me-
tropoian newspaper Of the widest influence. and in
stead of shaking the Arsenal with his thunderous
oratory would seek with much expense of Palladan
OIL to pen terse and wellconsdered editorial leader
upon some topic of high concern that might chance
to be uppermost in the public thought. Doubtless,
as DR.. Matthews argues the fourth estate of the
ton" do the entire work of the oratory, but
the work of the public speaker is greatly modified by
the power of the press. In proportion knowledge
becomes intensive its possessors resent the arts Of
the orator insult to their understandings. III
proportion knowledge becomes extensive the orator
must despair Of moving the masses by appeals adj
dressed to popular passions Clearness and precision
of statements take the place of .rabbe-c charming
words which may have had, DR.. South says.
"a sort Of wildfre wrapped UP in theni. but which
are emptied of all power to charm the cooler judg
ments and more prosaic natures OF this
modern age The reason why that most brill
liant of modern advocates. the late Rufus Choate
failed to make on his times impression equal to
an extraordinary talent and unequalled forensic
ability must be sought in the fact that he fully
comprehended the oratorcal temper of the epoch in
which he was living. He appeared among us like
again, but he was Hyperides without exctable
Athcnian popuace before which to sway the wand Of
his enchanting eloquencc. and without Court OF
Arcopagus before which it always safe to display
the arts Of the special plcader Honce the credby
of the tradition that when, upon time, he
flashing the corruscaons OF his Asiatic eloquence in
the face Of Judge shaw that ornament of the bench
impatient of the pyrotechnic display. put sudden
extnguisher the rocketlike oratory Of the great
advocate by interposng the pctulent ejaculation,
GAN very nne, Mr.. Choate but what in heaven has it
to do with this casee''
Turning from these general considerations on the
power and influence Of the oratory also the
ation of the orator to different phases and states of
civilization. DIR. Matthews proceeded discuss the
qualifications of the orator; his trials; his helps
the tests OF eloquence; the use of personalities in
dcbate the several classes Of political orators Eng
lish Irish and Americsn); forensic orators and pull
pit orators closing his treatise with peafor orator.
cal culture Under each of these heads he has written
the principle laid down by Hume, that criticism
is nearly useless unless the critic quote nnumerable
examples" Hence each chapter Of his work swarms
with illustrative anecdotes culled from every field of
history and is almost tesselated with apt quotations
from the walks of literature and art In making these
selections Dr. Matthews shows that he is guided by
taste which delicate and just the range Of his
reading Is liberal and wde That in evying contribu
tions from SO many sources he should sometimes
slip up inaccuracies Of statement ought not to be
matter Of surprise to the most critical reader. II
is rather matter or surprise that such slips of the
mind and pen few But it is mistake to
speak Of Mrs. Seaton ito whom of the best of
Webster criticisms is said to have been sddressed)
as webster's 'Iandlady at Washington" Always
leader in Washington society from the position held
in it by her husband and because she adorned by
ha Nfra az he ID iudi-
Gated by DIR. Matthews the wife Of tine Mayor of
Washington We believe it is . soecisIn in speech
to use '.novitiate synonymous with novice"
yet such is the dialect of DIR. Matthews In describing
'.the agony OF a confused novtate'' who moved the
sympathy Of Kennedy in his Life Of William Writ"
Mr.. w. II. Greg, tho author Of "The Creed Of
Christendom, is treated by DIR. Matthews to super
ous go at the end of his patronymic which, it is.
would to be abundantly supplied with that let.
ter. But DIR. Matthews, who everywhere shows his
classical culture. will remind that such slight
blemishes covered by familiar dictum of
Horace in the "Art Poetica."
HOLIDAY BooKs-wHAT THE PUBLISHERS ARE
DOING FOR Observation-Disclosures FOR OLD
AND YOUNG
The days Of gorgeously bound Christmas ANIMALS
are past. The Fountain Of Pearls Book of
Beauty and other highly colored and deliberately
illustrated volumes that lay upon our grandparents
centre tables In their place the pub-
fishers give elegantly gotten up volumes to be
sure, but volumes whose contents may peruse
with profit well pleasure. year ago
Harpers gave us Dore's Ancient Mariner" Apple
tons. lie Croix's 1.-THE Eighteenth Century" scrib
ner Wexford. Spain. India and Italy," all expen-
sive and elegant books. prepared especially for the
holiday trade. This year. however. there will be
fou hria ina h0ok FOR fn1L
while the field of childrens books extensively
covered than usual The publishers either believe
that times will not admit of great outlay in the
matter of costly. books that the taste for such
volumes is dying out. As rule they will satisfy
themselves with repubcations of the holiday books
Of former years. though number OF houses will
follow the old custom and give something for
the holidays.
Harper Brothers offer m holiday book. but
they call attention to Miss Jennie ]. Youngs 'Cera
mic Art" as volume handsome enough for holiday
present and point with pride TO their editions Of
standard authors. Charles Carleton Coins story Of
Liberty significantly attractive to please any boy and
Miss Virginia w. Johnsons ''Catskill Fairies" will
interest the girls, Mr. Primes Pottery
and Porcelain OF all Times and Nations useful and
beautiful book; Contemporary Art in Europe" and
that delightful collection Of 'Songs of Our YOUTH,
edited by Mrs. will be welcome visitors
to many stockings.
d. Appleton Il Co. Is most elaborate holiday book is
american Painters" volume containing biograph
zeal sketches OF fifty American artists. with eighty
three examples Of their works. The Turner Gallery.
containing 100 engrsvings from the works off. NJ.
w. Turner, and beautiful collection; Pottery
and Porcelain, from Early Times Down to the Phila-
delphia Exhibition. by Charles WHY'S Elliot; Poet
and Painter. or Gems Of Art and song' containing
ninety nine steel engravngs and the complete poet
ical works Of william Cullen Bryant book full Of
interest volumes TO attract the lovers Of the
beautiful in art and poetry while those looking for
solid reading will find IL in Tent Work in Pal
estine and Geikes Life and Words Of Christ. with
twelve engravings steel.
Scribner Wexford have made handsome provision
for the holidays in Switzerland. it's Mountains and
Valleys" Between four and Ave hundred engravings