REMORSE arises commonly from a sense of Guilt, and is the more bitter as being unavailing when allied to crime of the deepest dye. Contrition is aptly said to gnaw the Heart, excited by an accusing Conscience; the anxious feeling is quickened to the most painful extreme, expressed by sighs, tears, and groans. The countenance is strongly marked by dejection, the speech is deprecating, and not unfrequently a sudden and impassioned outburst will betray the painful excess of internal excitement.

VENERATION. This depth of Feeling is deferential in the first degree. In its best and purest sense, its perfect exercise can only be called forth by Supreme Wisdom, Goodness, and Holiness, which are exclusively Attributes of the Deity. In a humbler degree, it is the natural homage due to exalted Worth, and more especially when it assumes the sacred character of Sanctity. In its spirit and deportment it is meek and submissive, and may be said to mark the countenance with the holy serenity it inspires.

LOVE. This is a word of so broad a significance as to make an exact definition of it by no means easy. It is a compound of Affection and Desire, and, in its ordinary acceptation, seems to imply little more than the natural sympathy between the Sexes, and, in a modified form, extended to all who have not forfeited our good will. A man loves his Profession; or we say he loves the chase, his dog, or his bottle; and, as honest John Bunyan saith, some love the meat, some love to pick a bone. The Love of Country is patriotism; the Love of Kindred, or Family Love, is common to all men; and the love of Self is least rare. Of the above appliances some are insignificant, and have little claim to the title or true spirit and character of Love, and point rather to the abuse than the right use of a term that plainly implies a pure benevolence. Lord Bacon, in his Essays, says, "Wanton Love corrupts Man's nature, but Friendly Love perfecteth it;" but for its more pure and devo

tional meaning, we have an unerring Authority in the Inspired Writings of St. John, the beloved Disciple, and which leave no room for doubt as to the true meaning of the word Love in its sacred and Christian acceptation. Its highest aspirations rise to the Great Source of Wisdom and Goodness, the Universal Benefactor; but among Men there is ever a broad field for Benevolence, and this, when genuine, will diffuse its own warm and kindly glow over the Aspect and the Features.

SYMPATHY is aptly termed a fellow-feeling, for it rejoices with the happy, and sorrows with the distressed; and the force of it will naturally be proportioned to the strength of affection we bear to the Object of it. Having its root in Love, it will manifest its presence by the like signs.

PITY is a tender and saddened feeling, partaking largely of sympathy, softening the heart, and subduing its rougher emotions. Any hapless victim of Misfortune may share our compassion, but in a far less degree than we extend it towards those whom we truly love and esteem. Its indications need not be described.

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CONCLUSION.

ON THE POWER OF ELOQUENCE.

WITH REMARKS ON ITS HIGHER AND ABIDING INFLUENCES; ALSO ON SOME LEADING BRITISH CHARACTERISTICS.

WHEN the well-known historian, M. Rollin, asserts that, "of all human attainments, Eloquence has the most beauty, solidity, greatness, and splendour, and is of the most extensive influence," he but echoes the opinion of the greatest Wits. As he says, truly, "the Orator seems sometimes to be exalted above humanity. It gives him an empire over the Mind, the more admirable that it is voluntary, and founded solely on the force of Reason, enabling him to sway the Hearts of all to his purposes; to triumph over obstacles; to inspire joy or sorrow; love or hatred; compassion or resentment."

To this eulogium, highly coloured though it be, the Student of History will subscribe, as merited and borne out by facts. He will not need to be reminded of its ample confirmation in the Records of the bygone days of Antiquity, wherein are vividly depicted those Scenes and Actors that have awakened too deep an interest to be soon forgotten. Its Power has ever been felt and recognized by the noblest and most highly-gifted Minds. Our school books are replete with the triumphs of Eloquence, which have thus been made familiar to us from our boyhood, and held up as incentives to youthful emulation, winning the applause of Men, and being the direct passports to Fame and Honour. Its Attribute is to attract and captivate;

it is mighty to stir the depths of the human Heart, and to kindle the best feelings of our common Nature. Of the good it has done not a tithe is recorded; and what it may do, who can tell? Wheresoever it turns it carries with it a charm, and tends to sweeten all domestic intercourse. What miracles has it not wrought? It has tamed the madness of Passion, and stilled the storm of popular Frenzy, and stayed in its course the raging torrent of sanguinary Insurrection, and has oft arrested Crime and Folly in their downward career. It has been the great Redresser of wrongs, softening the Heart and changing the purposes of wilful princes. It has plucked down Corruption from its high seat, and the boldest Spirit has quailed before it. Oft has it strengthened the weak, and solaced the unhappy, and pleaded not in vain for the widow and the orphan; and thus viewed, how benign is its mission!

Of the power of Oratory, what stronger proof can be desired than is seen in the vivid and striking illustrations displayed in the annals of Ancient Rome. The eventful days of her Republic opened a boundless field for the generous rivalry of Merit. Wealth, Fame, and Power were the tempting prizes, and the successful competitors were those who excelled in debate. Eloquence won the day, and ruled the decisions of the Senate; and throughout her career of glory it was the

same.

When Rome became Imperial, and had reached the zenith of her meridian Power, and had planted her conquering eagles in the ends of the earth, the sword, and the valour that wielded it, and that led the invincible armies to success, these were but secondary Powers. The victorious General was Master of the position in the field; but there was other generalship, and a higher battle-field, and the accomplished Orator was Master of the position that swayed the Senate and its counsel. The bright sword of conquest paled before the keener weapon of Oratory, and the Force and Wit which distributed posts and honours, and portioned out the spoils that the soldier had won. Of this the Generals were fully aware, and failed not to propitiate

Even the haughty

the popular Leaders by bribes and caresses. Spirit of Cæsar was fain to conciliate, by princely gifts, the Master-wits of the day, well knowing his Rivals in the race for Fame and Power would do their utmost to supplant him while absent, and engaged in subjugating the Gauls.

Such have been the achievements of Oratory, while contesting for the prizes of worldly Ambition. There remains, however, another and loftier field for the exercise and influence of an Eloquence that finds no adequate Object in Earthly rewards. Its diviner aim and character is seen in the Spirit that animated Socrates and Plato, and others of the like noble stamp. Justly are these ancient Fathers of Eloquence held in high repute; and whence this general homage? It is to be attributed to the matter, and not the manner, of their discourse. Of such Merit, all Men in every age can judge. The inspiration of Wisdom, the force of Truth, and of manly Feeling, these go direct to the heart. The Philosophy they inculcated was wholly of an ennobling kind. Its Genius was purely intellectual, and fitted rather for development in the retirement of studious Thought, than to attract and shine by any outward display.

True Philanthropists, their benign and worthy aim was the mental and social elevation of their fellow-men, by quickening the germ of that spiritual Life which is inherent in Human nature. Earnest and truthful, and conscious of the right, they were independent of external aids, and were invulnerably armed against the attacks of Malevolence. To great natural parts, and high reasoning powers, they added that strength of principle, and weight of character, which gives force and value to opinion, and without which all the blandishments of Rhetorical skill are of secondary import; and, in reality, are of little worth where these diviner attributes are wanting.

It might, perhaps, be expected, that he who pens this Treatise should have somewhat to say touching the present state and aspects of modern Eloquence, home and foreign; but we have, in truth, little to remark that is either novel or interesting in this view of our Subject. All experience,