formation refpecting them, it will be impoffible for a Peer to fulfil his duty in deliberating and deciding on the numerous and complicated measures which are neceffarily to come before him. The effects of being mafter even of a few of the articles already specified, would be fuch as might well encourage further application. An hereditary feat in the Legislature is so far from being a fituation which ought to reprefs induftry and exertion; that were a Nobleman to take proper and timely means of employing his abilities, of what fort or ftrength foever they might be, he would find his pains rewarded by a greater addition of reputation, of confequence, of power to do good, of advantages of every kind, than would be attainable by equal efforts in any different line of life, the other Houfe of Parliament only excepted. A Peer who confults the fatisfaction of his own confcience will acquire a more than fuperficial acquaintance with every object which falls within the province, and is likely to be brought under the cognizance, of the House of Lords. But his views will be more closely fixed, and his exertions more ftrenuously employed, on those select pursuits

which his profeffion, his peculiar talents, the bent of his difpofition, his opportunities of gaining intelligence, his local fituation, or any adventitious circumftances, entitle to prefer

ence.

The pilot will strive to gain a general knowledge of the creeks and fhoals in every channel which his office may occafionally oblige him to navigate; but he will be chiefly attentive to the foundings between those particular harbours, which his business usually leads him to frequent.

The Nobleman who has the laudable induftry to poffefs himself of these acquifitions of knowledge, will not defpife or overlook an attainment indifpenfably requifite to their full luftre and utility, the talent of public speaking. This talent is to a certain degree original: unless strong and ample foundations have been laid by the hand of nature, a splendid fuperftructure cannot be raised by the utmost efforts of art. Yet there are few so sparingly endowed with the powers of elocution, as to be incapable of qualifying themselves, by perfevering and judicious endeavours, to deliver their fentiments in debate with facility and

effect,

energy, and of

effect. And there are none, however eminent for natural abilities, who may not derive from study and reflection the most effential aid in attaining to that felf-command; that enlarged conception of the fubject under difcuffion; that methodical view of its feveral parts and bearings; that manly copiousness of expreffion; that fund of brilliant and appofite imagery; without which the foundest reasoning may be devoid of perfpicuity, of and of grace, and fail to carry conviction to the breast even of the most unprejudiced audience. A frequent and contemplative perusal of the works of the ancient masters of oratory, and of those moderns who have been the most diftinguished for convincing the understanding and interefting the paffions; attention to their mode of arrangement, to their choice of arguments and illustrations, and to their skill in adapting the style as well as the matter of the discourse to the subject on which they spoke, and the persons whom they addressed: these are the methods to be pursued by the parliamentary fpeaker, if he feeks to tread in the steps of his illuftrious predeceffors; much more if he aspires to produce impreffions on his hearers

fimilar

ནི་

fimilar to the wonders wrought by eloquence in claffic ages, and to equal the monuments of (Grecian and Roman fame. But let him beware of being betrayed into an affectation of fyftem and a pedantic display of learning; let him not fuffer the love of applause to occupy his breaft instead of the defire to do good. Nor let his attainments in oratory, whatever they may be, lead him into the habit of pragmatically obtruding his fentiments on the House at inopportune feasons; with more frequency than his fituation juftifies; or with greater prolixity than the fubject under dif cuffion requires. Repeated inftances have occurred of parliamentary speakers, who by inattention to thefe circumftances have given permanent difguft to their hearers; have effentially lowered themselves in the public estimation; and have radically impaired their power of benefiting their country.

It fometimes happens even in the Upper House of Parliament, though much more frequently in the Lower, that a young man of abilities, foon after he has taken his feat, makes his entry on the stage of debate in a prepared fpeech

fpeech of very confiderable length. Yet, except under circumftances extremely peculiar, this method of proceeding must be pronounced injudicious; both as being little accordant with the ingenuous diffidence of youth, and calculated rather to procure to the speaker fome premature and tranfient applause, than to pave the way for his attaining and permanently enjoying the well-earned praise of eloquence. The imputation of vanity and prefumption will almoft inevitably attend him. And however difpofed his hearers may be to make reasonable allowances for thefe failings, the impreffion which each of them produced will revive in their minds as often as the memory of the oration recurs. If he exhibits (and where is the young man who is not in danger of exhibiting?) fome deficiency of judgement or of information; he fo far defeats. the very purpose which he has in view. If he acquits himself according to his own fanguine wishes, a large deduction from the credit which he expects will be fecretly made by the audience, prone to ascribe no extraordinary merit to a formally premeditated and laboured harangue. If he opens the debate, L

VOL. I.

this