tion to ascertain clearly the names, the dates, the places, and every other material circumstance of the facts recounted. In order to be probable in narration, it is material to enter into the characters of the persons of whom we speak, and to show, that their actions proceeded from such motives as are natural, and likely to gain belief. In order to be as concise as the subject will admit, it is necessary to throw out all superfluous circumstances; the rejection of which will likewise tend to make our narration more forcible, and more clear.

CICERO is very remarkable for his talent of narration; and from the examples in his orations much may be learned. The narration, for instance, in the celebrated oration pro Milone, has been often and justly admired. His scope is to show, that though in fact Clodius was killed by Milo, or his servants, yet that it was only in selfdefence; and that the design had been laid, not by Milo against Clodius, but by Clodius against Milo's life. All the circumstances for rendering this probable are painted with wonderful art. In relating the manner of Milo's setting out from Rome, he gives the most natural description of a family excursion to the country, under which it was impossible that any bloody design could be concealed. "He remained," says he, "in the "Senate-house that day, till all the business was

"over.

He came home, changed his clothes deliberately, and waited for some time, till his

"wife had got all her things ready for going with "him in his carriage to the country. He did not "set out till such time as Clodius might easily "have been in Rome, if he had not been lying "in wait for Milo by the way. By and by, Clo"dius met him on the road, on horseback, like a

man prepared for action, no carriage, nor his "wife, as was usual, nor any family equipage "along with him; whilst Milo, who is supposed "to be meditating slaughter and assassination, is "travelling in a carriage with his wife, wrapped

up in his cloak, embarrassed with baggage, and "attended by a great train of women servants, "and boys." He goes on, describing the rencounter that followed; Clodius's servants attacking those of Milo, and killing the driver of his carriage; Milo jumping out, throwing off his cloak, and making the best defence he could, while Clodius's servants endeavoured to surround him; and then concludes his narration with a very delicate and happy stroke. He does not say in plain words, that Milo's servants killed Clodius, but that, "in "the midst of the tumult, Milo's servants, without "the orders, without the knowledge, without the

presence of their master, did what every master "would have wished his servants, in a like conjuncture, to have done*."

*«Milo, cùm in senatu fuisset eo die; quoad senatus dimissus est, domum venit. Calceos et vestimenta mutavit; pau

IN sermons, where there is seldom any occasion for narration, explication of the subject to be discoursed on, comes in the place of narration at the bar, and is to be taken up much on the same tone; that is, it must be concise, clear, and distinct; and in a style correct and elegant, rather than highly adorned. To explain the doctrine of the text, with propriety; to give a full and perspicuous account of the nature of that virtue or duty which forms the subject of the discourse, is properly the didac

"

lisper, dum se uxor (ut fit) comparat, commoratus est; deinde "profectus est, id temporis cùm jam Clodius, si quidem eo die "Romam venturus erat, redire potuisset. Obviam fit ei Clodius "expeditus, in equo, nulla rheda, nullis impedimentis, nullis "Græcis comitibus, ut solebat; sine uxore, quod nunquam fere. "Cum hic insidiator, qui iter illud ad cædem faciendam appa

râsset, cum uxore veheretur in rheda, penulatus, vulgi magno "impedimento, ac muliebri et delicato ancillarum puerorumque "comitatu. Fit obviam Clodio ante fundum ejus, hora fere un"decima, aut non multo secus. Statim complures cum telis in hunc "faciunt de loco superiore impetum: adversi rhedarium occidunt; "cùm autem hic de rheda, rejecta penula desiluisset, seque acri "animo defenderet, illi qui erant cum Clodio, gladiis eductis, partim recurrere ad rhedam, ut a tergo Milonem adorirentur ; partim, quod hunc jam interfectum putarent, cædere incipiunt ejus servos qui post erant; ex quibus qui animo fideli in dominum et præsenti fuerunt, partim occisi sunt; partim cum ad "rhedam pugnare viderunt, et dominio succurrere prohiberentur, Milonemque occisum etiam ex ipso Clodio audirent, et ita esse putarent, fecerunt id servi Milonis (dicam enim non derivandi "criminis causâ, sed ut factum est) neque imperante, neque "sciente, neque præsente domino, quod suos quisque servos in "tali re facere voluisset."

tic part of preaching; on the right execution of which much depends for all that comes afterwards in the way of persuasion. The great art in succeeding in it, is, to meditate profoundly on the subject, so as to be able to place it in a clear and strong point of view. Consider what light other passages of Scripture throw upon it; consider whether it be a subject nearly related to some other from which it is proper to distinguish it; consider whether it can be illustrated to advantage by comparing it with, or opposing it to, some other thing; by inquiring into causes, or tracing effects; by pointing out examples, or appealing to the feelings of the hearers; that thus, a definite, precise, circumstantial view may be afforded of the doctrine to be inculcated. Let the preacher be persuaded, that, by such distinct and apt illustrations of the known truths of religion, it may both display great merit in the way of composition, and, what he ought to consider as far more valuable, render his discourses weighty, instructive, and useful.

LECTURE XXXII.

IN

CONDUCT OF A DISCOURSE-THE ARGUMEN-
TATIVE PART-THE PATHETIC PART-

THE PERORATION.

N treating of the constituent parts of a regular discourse or oration, I have already considered the introduction, the division, and the narration or explication. I proceed next to treat of the argumentative or reasoning part of a discourse. In whatever place, or on whatever subject one speaks, this, beyond doubt, is of the greatest consequence. For the great end for which men speak on any serious occasion, is to convince their hearers of something being either true, or right, or good; and, by means of this conviction, to influence their practice. Reason and argument make the foundation, as I have often inculcated, of all manly and persuasive eloquence.

Now, with respect to arguments, three things are requisite. First, the invention of them; secondly, the proper disposition and arrangement of them; and thirdly, the expressing of them in