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More particularly, I call upon the venerable prelates of our religion, to do away this iniquity: let them perform a lustration to purify the country from this deep and deadly sin.

This speech of Mr. Pitt, was made in the British Parliament, November 18, 1777, in opposition to lord Suffolk, who had said in the course of the debate," that England had a right to use all the means that God and nature had put into her hands, to conquer America." "The tapestry" of the House of lords, of which the orator speaks, represents the defeat of the Spanish Armada, in the reign of queen Elizabeth, by admiral Howard, an ancestor of lord Suffolk. This admiral to whom he alludes, is a conspicuous figure in the tapestry. It will be seen that Mr. Pitt, although an Englishman, manifested an interest in the happiness of the Americans. He was so eloquent, that it was justly said by Cowper:

"It is praise enough, to fill the ambition of a private man,
That Chatham's language is his mother tongue.'

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It will readily occur to the student in oratory, that this speech should be read or recited in a very animated and energetic manner.

NIGHT BEFORE, AND BATTLE OF WATERLOO.

1. There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium's capital had gathered then
Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright
The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men.
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when

Music arose with its voluptuous swell,

Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,

And all went merry as a marriage-bell.

But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell.

2. Did ye not hear it ?—No; 'twas but the wind,
Or the car rattling o'er the stony street.
On with the dance! let joy be unconfin'd;

No sleep till morn, when youth and pleasure meet
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet.
But hark! that heavy sound breaks in once more,
As if the clouds its echo would repeat;
And nearer, clearer, deadlier than before!
Arm! arm! it is-it is-the cannon's opening roar !
3. Within a windowed niche of that high hall,
Sat Brunswick's fated chieftain. He did hear

That sound the first amidst the festival,
And caught its tone with death's prophetic ear;
And when they smiled because he deemed it near,
His heart more truly knew that peal too well,
Which stretch'd his father on a bloody bier,

And roused the vengeance blood alone could quell.
He rush'd into the field, and, foremost fighting, fell.
4. Ah! then and there were hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress,
And cheeks all pale, which but an hour ago
Blush'd at the praise of their own loveliness;
And there were sudden partings, such as press
The life from out young hearts, and choaking sighs
Which ne'er might be repeated. Who could guess
If ever more should meet those mutual eyes,
Since upon night so sweet, such awful morn could rise.

5. And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed,
The mustering squadron, and the clattering car,
Went pouring forward with impetuous speed,
And swiftly forming in the ranks of war;
And the deep thunder, peal on peal, afar;
And near, the beat of the alarming drum
Roused up the soldier, e'er the morning star;
While thronged the citizens with terror dumb,
Or whispering with white lips "The foe! they come
they come!"

6. Last noon beheld them full of lusty life;
Last eve, in beauty's circle, proudly gay;

The midnight brought the signal sound of strife;
The morn the marshalling in arms; the day,
Battle's magnificently stern array!

The thunder-clouds close over it, which when rent,
The earth is covered thick with other clay,
Which her own clay shall cover-heaped and pent,
Rider and horse,-friend,-foe, in one red burial blent!

Byron.

Byron's Waterloo is well adapted to an elocutionary exercise, especially the second verse, in which the sentiment requires the low, middle, and high key in quick succession,

RIGHT OF FREE DISCUSSION.

1. Important as I deem it to discuss, on all proper occasions, the policy of the measures at present pursued, it is still more important to maintain the right of such discussionin its full and just extent. Sentiments lately sprung up and now growing fashionable, make it necessary to be explicit on this point. The more I perceive a disposition to check the freedom of inquiry by extravagant and unconstitutional pretences, the firmer shall be the tone in which I shall assert, and the freer the manner in which I shall exercise it.

2. It is the ancient and undoubted prerogative of this people, to canvass public measures, and the merits of public men. It is a It is a "homebred right," a fire side privilege. It hath ever been enjoyed in every house, cottage, and cabin, in the nation. It is not to be drawn into controversy. It is as undoubted as the right of breathing the air, or walking on the earth.

3. Belonging to private life as a right, it belongs to public life as a duty; and it is the last duty which those whose representative I am, shall find me to abandon. Aiming, at all times, to be courteous and temperate in its use, except when the right itself shall be questioned, I shall then carry it to its extent. I shall place myself on the extreme boundary of my right, and bid defiance to any arm that would move me from my ground.

4. This high constitutional privilege, I shall defend and exercise, within this house, and without this house, and in all places; in time of war, in time of peace, and at all times. Living, I shall assert it; dying I shall assert it; and should I leave no other inheritance to my children, by the blessing of God, I will leave them the inheritance of free principles, and the example of a manly, independent, and constitutional defence of them.-D. Webster.

SPEECH OF MARTIN VAN BUREN, ON TAKING THE CHAIR OF THE U. S. SENATE.

1. SENATORS:-In entering upon the duties of the sta tion to which I have been called by the people, deference to you, and justice to myself, require that I should fore

stall expectations which might otherwise be disappointed. Although for many years heretofore, a member of the Senate, I regret that I should not have acquired that knowledge of the particular order of proceedings, which might naturally be expected.

2. Unfortunately for me, in respect to my present condition, I ever found those at hand, who had more correctly appreciated this important branch of their duties, and on whose opinions, as to points of order, I could at all times safely rely. This remissness will, doubtless, for a season, cause me no small degree of embarrassment. So far, however, as unremitting exertions on my part, and a proper respect for the advice of those who are better informed than myself, can avail, this deficiency will be remedied as speedily as possible; and I feel persuaded that the Senate, in the mean time, will extend to me a considerate indulgence.

3. But however wanting I may be for the time, in a thorough knowledge of the technical duties of the chair, I entertain, I humbly hope, a deep and solemn conviction of its high moral obligations. I am well aware, that he who occupies it, is bound to cherish towards the members of the body over wihch he presides, no other feelings than those of justice and courtesy-to regard them all as standing on an honorable equality-to apply the rules established by themselves, for their own government, with strict impartiality-and to use whatever authority he possesses, in the manner best calculated to protect the rights, to respect the feelings, and to guard the reputations of all who may be affected by its exercise.

4. It is no disparagement to any other branch of the government to say, that there is none, on which the constitution devolves such extensive powers as it does upon the Senate. There is scarcely an exercise of constitu tional authority, in which it does not mediately or immediately participate: it forms an important, and, in some respects, an indispensable part of each of the three great departments, executive, legislative, and judicial; and is, moreover, the body in which is made effectual that share of power in the federal organization, so wisely allowed to the respective State sovereignties.

5. Invested with such august powers, so judiciously restricted, and so largely adapted to the purposes of good government, it is no wonder that the Senate is regarded by the people of the United States, as one of the best features, in what they, at least, consider to be the wisest, the freest and happiest political system in the world. In fervent wishes that it may long continue to be so regarded, and in conviction of the importance of order, propriety, and regularity in its proceedings, we must all concur.

6. It shall be an object of my highest ambition, Senators, to join with you, as far as in me lies, in effecting those desirable objects; and in endeavoring to realize the expectations formed of this body, at the adoption of the constitution, and ever since confidently cherished, that it would exercise the most efficient influence in upholding the federal system, and in perpetuating what is at once the foundation and the safeguard of our country's welfare-the union of the States.

On the 10th of December, 1833, Mr. Van Buren, who was then Vice President of the United States, after being conducted to the chair of the Senate, by the President, pro tem., delivered the above address. His manner of speaking is pleasant, happy, and impressive. In person, he is neither above nor below the middle height; his figure is graceful, his countenance animated, and his head of unusual size.

EXTRACT FROM GENERAL JACKSON'S PRO.. CLAMATION AGAINST AN ORDINANCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

1. FELLOW CITIZENS:-Contemplate the condition of that country of which you still form an important part! Consider its government, uniting in one bond of common interest and general protection, so many different States, giving to all their inhabitants the proud title of AMERICAN CITIZENS, protecting their commerce, securing their literature and their arts, facilitating their intercommunication, defending their frontiers, and making their name respected in the remotest parts of the earth.

2. Consider the extent of its territory, its increasing and happy population, its advance in arts which render

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