ORATORY,

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to shew are not true, or so weak as to merit very little regard,And he refutes those taken from the power, by proving that hewanted either opportunity or ability : as, if he can shew, that nei-ther the place nor time insisted on was at all proper; or that hewas then in another place. In like manner he will endeavour toconfute the circumstances, if they cannot be directly denied, byshewing that they are not such as necessarily accompany the fact,but might have proceeded from other causes, though nothing ofwhat is alleged had been committed; and it will be of great ser-vice to assign some oilier probable cause. See Crime, Jury,Manslaughter, Murder, Trial, &c. 2. The deiinitive state,

which is principally concerned in delining and fixing the nameproper to the fact: though orators seldom use exact definitions,but commonly choose larger descriptions, taken from various pro-perties of the subject or thing described. The heads of argumentin this state are much the same to both parties. For each of themdefines the fact his own wav, and endeavours to refute the other’sdefinition. 3. The third state is that of quality, in which the dis-pute turns upon the justice of an action. And here the defendantdoes not deny he did the thing lie is charged with ; blit asserts itto be right and equitable, from the circumstances of the case, andthe motives which induced him to it. 4. Lastly, a fact is some-times rather excused than defended, by pleading that it was notdone designedly, or with any ill intent. This is called conces-sion; and consists of two parts, apology and intreaty. Theformer represents the matter as the effect of inadvertency, chance,or necessity. Having considered and explained the first part ofinvention, which furnishes the orator with such arguments as arenecessary for the proof of his subject, wc are next to shew what arethe proper means to conciliate the nfinds of his hearers ; to gaintheir affections; and to recommend both himself, and what hesays, to their good opinion and esteem. This is by Quintilian called, propriety of manners. And he adds, it is necessary, “ thatevery tiling appear easy and natural, and the disposition of thethe speaker lie discovered by his words.” There are four quali-ties, suited to the character of an orator, which should appear inhis discourses, to render what lie says acceptable to Ills hearers;and these are, wisdom, integrity, benevolence, and modesty. Itis the orator’s business to consider the various characters and cir-cumstances of life, with the diffluent bias and way of thinking theygive to the mind ; that he may so conduct himself in his behaviourand manner of speaking, as wiil render him most acceptable, andgain him the good esteem ot those whom he addresses. As it isoften highly necessary for the orator, so it requires his greatestskill, to engage the passions in his interest. Where persons willneither he convinced by reason, nor moved by the authority ofthe speaker, the only way left, to put them upon action, is to en-gage their passions. The passions may lie separately referred,either to demonstrative, deliberative, or judicial, discourses;though they are not confined to any of them. i. To the demon-strative kind, we may refer joy and sorrow', love and hatred,emulation and contempt, ii. To deliberative discourses may bereferred fear, hope, and shame, iii. To judicial discourses maybe referred anger and lenity, pity and indignation. Tliese are thepassions with which an orator is principally concerned. In ad-dressing w hich, not only the greatest warmth and force of expres-sion is often necessary; hut lie must likewise first endeavour toimpress his own mind with the same passion he would excite inothers. A man may convince, and even persuade others to act,bv mere reason and argument. But that degree of eloquencewhich gains the admiration of mankind, and properly denominatesone an orator, is never found without warmth or passion. Passion,when in such a degree as to rouse and kindle the mind, withoutthrowing it out of the possession of itself, is universally lonnd toexalt all the human powers. It renders the mind more enlightened,penetrating, vigorous, and masterly, than it is in its calm moments.A. man, actuated by a strong passion, becomes much greater thanhe is at oilier times, lie is at no loss for words and arguments.He transmits to others, by a sort of contagious sympathy, thewarm sentiments which he feels; his looks and gestures are all per-suasive; and nature here shewg herself infinitely more powerfulthan art.

Op Disposition.

As invention supplies the orator with necessary materials, so dis-position directs him how to place them in the most proper order.

What is here chiefly intended by it is, the placing of the severalparts of a discourse in a just method and dependence upon oneanother. Writers are not all agreed in determining the parts ofan oration; though the difference is rather in the manner of consi-dering them, than in the things themselves. Cicero mentions six,viz. Introduction, Narration, Proposition, Confirmation, Confuta-tion, and Conclusion.

Of the Introduction. The design of the introduction is to pre-pare the minds of the hearers for a suitable reception of what is tofollow. For this end, tiiree things are requisite ; that the oratorgain the good opinion of Ids hearers, that he secure their attentionand give them some general notion of his subject. I. To ensuretlie good opinion of those to whom the discourse is made, it is notunusual to commend them for their virtues, and those especiallywhich have a more immediate relation to the present subject.Sometimes the orator expresses his gratitude for past favours; atother times he declares his concern for them and their interest.

2. As to attention, Cicero says, “ We shall he heard attentively onone of these three things; if we propose what is great, necessary,or for the interest of those to whom the discourse is addressed. 3.Some general account of the subject of the discourse is always ne-cessary. For every one expects to be soon informed of the de-sign of the speaker, and what lie proposes to treat of. These arethe heads which commonly furnish matter for this part of a dis-course. In some cases, orators have recourse to a more artful wayo! opening their subject, endeavour to remove jealousies, aptflb-gize lor what they are about to say, and seem to refer it to thecandour of the hearers to judge of it as they please. ’Phis is calledinsinuation; and may he necessary, where a cause is in itselfdoubtful, or may be thought so from the prejudices of the hearers,,or the impressions already made upon them by the contrary side.An honest man would not knowingly engage in a bad cause; andyet, through prevailing prejudice, that may be so esteemed whichis not so in itself. In these cases great prudence is necessary to-give-such a turn to things, as may be least liable to offence.

Of Narration. The orator having prepared ins hearers to re-ceive iiis discourse with candour, and acquainted them with hisgeneral design, before lie proceeds directly to his subject, oftenfinds it necessary to give some account of what preceded, accom-panied, or followed upon it. And this he does to enlarge the viewof the particular point in dispute, and place it in a dearer light.This is called narration ; which is a recital of something done, inthe order and manner in which it was done. Those things, whichproperly enter into a narration, are the cause, manner, time, place*anil consequences of an action; with the temper, fortune, views,ability, associates, and other circumstances of those concerned init. In relating a fact, the orator describes it in so strong and livelya manner, as may give the greatest evidence to his hearers, andmake the deepest impression upon their minds. See Narra-tion. There are four properties requiied in a good narration;that it be short, perspicuous, probable, and interesting.

Of the Proposition. In every regular discourse, the speaker’-:intention is to prove or illustrate something. And when he laysdown his subject, in a distinct and express manner, this is calledthe proposition. Orators use several ways in laying down the sub-ject of their discourses. Sometimes they do it in one general pro-position. At other times, to give a clearer and mere distinct viewof their discourse, they subjoin to the proposition, the generalheads of argument by which they endeavour to support it. But.when the subject relates to several different tilings, which requireto be separately laid clown in distinct propositions, it is called apartition. Some have made two kinds of partition, one called se-paration, and the other enumeration. By the former, the oratorshews in what he agrees with his adversary, and wheiein he differsfrom him. By the latter he acquaints his hearers with the severalparts of his discourse upon which lie designs to treat. And lbi .alone, nroperly speaking, is a partition. There are three, thingsrequisite in a good partition;, that it b - short, complete, ami con-sist but of a few members. 1. A partition is said to be short,when each proposition contains in it nothing more than is neces-sary. So that the brevity here required is different from that of a.narration ; for that consists chiefly in things, this in words. 2. Itought to be complete and perfect. And for this end, care mustlie taken to omit no necessary part in the enumeration. 3. '1 hereshould be as few heads as is consistent with the nature of the sub-ject. The ancient rhetoricians prescribe three or four at the most.

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