The Orator. Parts I., IL, and III. (H. A. Viles.)—The
plan of this
publication is rather to give specimens of oratory than the speeches of orators. Few harangues are given entire, the parts in which the slie-aker was discussing the question immediately before him being omitted, and only such parts given as embody principles of universal interest. It should not be forgotten that this is a very unfair way of reading speeches. The declamation ought to be so welded into the
argument that the two cannot be separated, and a passage like that on "Filial Piety," from one of Sheridan's speeches against Warren Hastings, would never have been uttered by a speaker of good taste. Extracts of this sort nevertheless have their use. Most good speakers as well as good writers begin by caring more about style than matter, though they do not remain long in that state of mind. To such stu- dents "The Orator" will be a boon, and the extracts are, we are bound to say, made with judgment. They are not too short, and a great number of short but entire speeches are given, such as the Prince Consort's speech at the opening of the first Exhibition, Lord Chatham's famous protest against the employment of savages in war, and the speeches of Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli on the vote of condolence to Her Majesty after the Prince Consort's death. These finished orations are excellent subjects of study. The introduction of a few addresses by the great American orators are a very interesting feature in this publication.
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