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(1.) An assertion that Mr. Webster had adroitly changed the subject of debate, and had made against the South a false charge of injustice toward the Western States; (2.) That his present doctrine was inconsistent with what he had formerly maintained; (3.) That his doctrine that the wild lands were the property of the nation was inconsistent with his willingness, elsewhere shown, to vote for giving portions of them for the building of roads, constructing canals, and other internal improvements; (4.) That the friendliness of the North with the West was the result of a corrupt political bargain; (5.) That the Southern States were unjustly traduced; (6.) That his State had shown singular devotion to the Union, while men in Massachusetts had plotted against the country; and (7.) That the doctrines which he proclaimed had been advocated by the fathers.

This somewhat meagre skeleton was clothed with such earnest, fervid appeal and profuseness of illustration as to create a deep impression.

The rejoinder of Daniel Webster is perhaps the most eloquent, certainly it is the most celebrated oration ever delivered in the American Senate. It ranks with the master-pieces of oratory in ancient and modern times. Like the oration of Demosthenes on the Crown, its occasion seemed trivial, but really it embraced in its range the great subjects of dissension between the rival systems of civilization in this country. The oration deserves to be studied as a model. The impress of genius is on every paragraph. The introduction was novel and striking:

"MR. PRESIDENT.-When the mariner has been tossed for many days in thick weather, and on an unknown sea, he naturally avails himself of the first pause in the storm, the earliest glance of the sun, to take his latitude, and ascertain how far the elements have driven him from his true course. Let us imitate this prudence, and, before we float farther on the waves of this debate, refer to the point from which we departed, that we may at least be able to conjecture where we now are. I ask for the reading of the resolution before the Senate."

No summary of the arguments which followed would do justice to the subject. It was severely argumentative, rhetorically beautiful. Not a paragraph, not a sentence, scarcely a word is superfluous. The peroration is one of the most eloquent passages ever

uttered.

Though a summary of the leading thoughts of the oration can give no adequate idea of its power, yet to show how simple and yet logical the frame-work was, upon which the structure was built, we give the leading thoughts.

After the exordium, given above, and the reading of the resolution, Mr. Webster stated, (1.) The main subject had been neglected by his opponent, and all who had advocated the other side of the question. They had wandered widely, and brought in much that was totally irrelevant. (2.) He repelled all personal attacks on himself, in the course of which he quoted some remarks of his opponent, and used them so as to show his own real or assumed superiority of purpose. (3.) He then vindicated his section of the country from the charges made against it, in the course of which he adroitly used some allusions made by his opponent, so as to turn their force against him. A long historical

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argument is here introduced. (4.) He repelled and disproved the alleged "corrupt political bargain." (5.) He denied any prejudice or unfairness toward the South. (6.) He then advocated a liberal policy toward the new States, and entered into a long constitutional argument that can not well be condensed. (7.) He closed with an eloquent plea for the permanency of the Union.

This admirable cration was not written in full till after it was pronounced. It was, however, the result of long and careful study, the author having frequently presented all the arguments and facts in previous discussions, and in conversation, and could never have been invented but by a man thoroughly conversant with the subject, and one who had disciplined himself to accuracy of thought and expression by long and severe practice. Besides, the oration is instinct with genius in all its parts.

42. Exercises in Invention in Discussion.-Draw up an abstract of arguments on both sides of each of the following questions, and arrange the arguments so as to make the strongest possible impression. Then show your reasons, in conclusion, for preferring that side which you believe to be correct.

Which are more valuable to a country, navigable rivers or railways?

Is life in the city or country preferable?

Should the sale of intoxicating drinks for a beyerage be prohibited by law?

Was the purchase of Alaska by the United States of America a wise measure?

Ought parents to be compelled by law to give their children (unless sickness prevents) a certain amount of literary education?

Ought the printing and sale of bad books to be forbidden by law?

Which was the greater man, Washington or Napoleon?

Which did the most for his country, Franklin or Washington?

Have wars been productive of greater good or evil? Is the civilized preferable to the savage state? Ought the right of suffrage in a republic to be limited by an educational provision?

Are newspapers, on the whole, productive of good or cvil?

Is a hilly and mountainous country preferable to one that is level?

Have we reason to expect as great improvements in the useful arts during the next hundred years as during the past hundred?

Was Demosthenes the greater orator, or Webster? Is the sense of sight of more value to man than the sense of hearing?

Do savage nations possess a full right to the soil? Is the world advancing in mental and moral character?

Which should the Government encourage, commerce or manufactures?

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CHAPTER VI.

INVENTION IN MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTIONS.

43. General Principles.- THE general principles of Invention will be easily seen from what has already been stated. To invent addresses, essays, criticisms, letters, dialogues, tales, poems, select the best models and study them, gather material, arrange, reject, modify, and improve it, until a satisfactory outline is made, and then patiently complete the work. Practice alone makes perfect.

44. Invention in Style.-This also should be sedulously cultivated. No one should be contented with a fair mastery of one style. His own most natural and efficient style will be improved by attempting many others. Let the writer who finds all his sentences short and crispy, by sheer resolution write some long and periodic sentences. Let the writer who finds the use of metaphors unnatural, seek out comparisons and invent metaphors, however tedious the effort.

45. How Invention is acquired.—The art of Inven tion can not be learned from a text-book. Science teaches only how to use material already existing. The student who forms the habit of reading with his pencil in hand, and who frequently expresses what thoughts he has on paper, will not long need to study the art of Invention. Severe study and abundant prac