AV R I X I N G S OF DK. SMITH.

XIII

" There was no htuation in which the abilitiesof Mr. Smith appeared to greater advantage thanas a Profelfor. In delivering his lectures, he troll-ed almoft entirely to extemporary elocution. Hismanner, though not graceful, was plain andunaffected ; and as he teemed to be always inter-died in thefubjeCt, he never failed to intereft hishearers. Each dilcourfe confilled commonly offeveral diftinCt propositions, which he fucceflivelyendeavoured to prove and illuftrate. Thefe pro-positions, when announced in general terms, had,from their extent, not unfrequently something ofthe air of a paradox. In his attempts to explainthem, he often appeared, at hrft, not to be suf-ficiently poffeffed of the fubjett, and fpoke withsome hesitation. As he advanced , however, thematter feemed to crowd upon him, his mannerbecame warm and animated, and his expressioneasy and fluent. In points susceptible of contro-versy , you could easily discern, that he secretlyconceived an opposition to his opinions, and thathe Was led upon this account to support themwith greater energy and vehemence. By thefulness and variety of his illustrations, the fubjeClgradually swelled in his hands, and acquired adimension which, without a tedious repetition ofthe fame views, was calculated to feize the atten-tion of his audience, and to afford them pleasure,as Avellasinftruclion, in following the fame objecl.