EL 0Q U12. '01:. 83

This balance between the orator and the audi-
ence is expressed in xvhat is called the pertinence-
of the speaker. There is always a rivalry between
the (n-ator and the occasion, between the (lemands
of the hour and the prepossession of the individual.
The emergency’ which has convened the meeting is
usually of more ll1ll)Ol'E111lL‘6 than anything the de-
baters have in their minds, and therefore becomes
imperative to them. int if one of them have any-
thing‘ of commanding‘ necessity in his heart, how
speedily he will find vent for it, and with the ap-
plause of the assembly! This balance is observed
in the privatest intercourse. Poor Tom never knew
the time when the present occurrence was so trivial
that he could tell what" was passing in his mind
without being checked for unseasonable speech. but
let Bacon speak and wise men would rather listen
though the revolution of kingdoms was on foot.
I have heard it reported of an eloquent preacher.
whose voice is not yet forgotten i11 this city. that,
on occasions of death or tragic disaster which over-
spread the congregation with gloom, he ascended
the pulpit with more than his usual alacritv, and
turning‘ to his favorite lessons of devout and jubi-
lant thankfulness, —- “ Let us praise the Lord,”—
carried audience, mourners, and mourning‘ along‘
with him, and swept away all the impertinence
of private sorrow with his hosannzis and songs of