The Press., 1885-10-15
ELL ME ON NRAT0RY.

Twenty centuries ago last Christmas there was born in Attica, near Athens. the father of oratory, the greatest orator of whom history has told us. His name was Demosthenes. Had he lived until this spring he would have been 2,27O years old but he did not live. Demosthenes has crossed the mysterious river. He has gone to that bourne whence no traveller returns. v
 Most of you, no donbt, have heard about it. On those who may not have heard it the announcement will fall with 8 sickening thud. This sketch is not intended to cast gloom over your hearts. 1t was designed | to cheer those who read it and make them glad they could read.
 Therefore I would have been glad if I could have spared them the pain which this sudden breaking of the news of the death of Demosthenes will bring But it could not be avoided. We should remem- l Der the transltory nature of life, and when we are tempted to boast of our health and strength and wealth, let us remember the sudden and early death of Demosthenes.
 Demosthenes was not born an orator. He struggled hard and failed many times. l He was homely and he stammered ill his speech, but before his death they came to him for hundreds of miles to get him to open their county fairs and jerk the bird . of freedom bald headed on the Fourth of July.
 When Demosthenes' father died he left fifteen talents to be divided between De- mosthenes and his sisters. A talent is .l equal to about $l ,00O. I often wish had been born a little more talented.
 I Demosthenes had a short breath, hesi- tating speech, and his manners were very ungraceful.. To remedy his stammering he filled his mouth full of pebbles and howled his sentiments at the angry sea. However, PIutarch says that Demosthenes made gloomy fizzle of his first speech.
 This did not discourage him. He final ly became the smoothest orator in that country, and it was no uncommon thing for him to fill the First Baptist church of Athens full. There are now sixty of hls orations extant, part of them written by Demosthenes and part of them written by his private secretary. -
 When he started in, he was gentle, mild and quiet in his manner, but later on, car rying his audience with him, he at last be- came enthusiastic. He thundered, he roared, he whooped, he how1ed, he jared the windows, he sawed the air, he split the horizon with his clarion notes, he tipped over the table, kicked the lamps out of the chandeliers and smashed the big base vio over the chief fiddler's head.
 Oh, Demosthenes was business when he got started. It will be Q long time before we see another of-hand speaker like De mosthenes, and for one have never beer the same since learned of his death.
 "Such was the first of orators," says Lord Brougham. t'At the head of all tho mighty masters of speech, the adoration O ages has consecrated his place, and tho loss of the noble instrument with which h. } forged and launched his thunderers is sur. to maintain it unapproachable forever"
 have always been great admirer O the oratory of Demosthenes, and thos' who have heard both of us think there ii certain degree of similarity in our style
 And not only did admire Demosthene as an orator, but as man. and though am no Vanderbilt feel as though would be willing to head subscription list fo the purpose of doing the square thing by his sorrowing wife if she is left in want, a, l understand that she is.
 must now leave Demosthenes and pas \ on rapidly to speak of Patrick Henry MT. Henry was the man who wanted fiber ty or death. He preferred liberty though