Elegant Extracts Volume 3; A Copious Selection of Instructive, Moral, and Entertaining Passages, from the Most Eminent Prose Writers - Tapa blanda

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1826 Excerpt: ... a small portion of their affluence, they may secure the peaceful possession of the rest. Let those who are of the age for military duty; that, by learning the art of war in Philip's dominions, they may become formidable defenders of their native land. Let our orators; that they may safely submit their conduct to the public inspection. For your judgment of their administrations will ever be determined by the event of things. And may we all contribute to render that favourable! Demosthenes: ORATION CONCERNING THE REGULATION OP THE STATE. You ask, Athenians!' What real advantage have we derived from the speeches of Demosthenes? He rises when he thinks proper: he deafens us with his harangues; he declaims against the degeneracy of present times: he tells us of the virtues of our ancestors: he transports us by his airy extravagance: he puffs up our vanity: and then sits down.'--But, could these my speeches once gain an effectual influence upon your minds, so great would be the advantage conferred upon my country, that were I to attempt to speak them, they would appear to many as visionary. Yet still I must assume the merit of doing some service, by accustoming you to hear salutary truths. And if your counsellors be solicitous for any point of moment to their country, let them first cure your ears; for they are distempered: and this, from the inveterate habit of listening to falsehoods, to every thing, rather than your real interests. VOL. III. 4 Thus it lately happened, (let no man interrupt me: let me have a patient hearing) that some persons broke into the treasury. The speakers all instantly exclaimed, 'Our free constitution is overturned: our laws are no more!' And now, ye men of Athens! judge, if I speak with reason. They who are guilty of this crime, justl...