the narrower unity, in the singleness of the feeling or affection to be addressed.

It will be observed that the theme, as well as the feeling addressed, may be individual or generic, may embrace a single object or feeling, or a class of objects or of feelings. Generally, where the feeling to be excited is made the germ of development, the theme will embrace the several particulars addressed to the feeling.

It is of importance to distinguish carefully between the theme and the feeling addressed in excitation. They are not unfrequently confounded in popular discourse. We say,

thus, in loose language, that the theme of a discourse, the design of which is to awaken hope, is the affection itself. hope. Properly speaking, this is the object of the discourse, while the theme embraces the considerations presented for the purpose of awakening the affection.

§ 188. The form of the discourse in excitation will vary according as the theme or the feeling addressed is made the germ of the development. If the feeling addressed furnish the germ, the discourse will be more purely excitatory in its character; if the theme, the discourse will have more of an explanatory form.

In a pulpit discourse, thus, the passion of Jesus Christ might be exhibited as a single fact fitted to excite various emotions, as of gratitude, love, confidence. In this case the development of the discourse might naturally spring from the particular feelings addressed. They would constitute accordingly the leading heads of the discourse.

On the other hand, the same fact might be exhibited as bearing, in several distinct aspects, on a single emotion or grace of character. Then these several aspects of the fact might naturally furnish the ground of distribution and arrangement in the discourse.

So in Panegyrics, sometimes, the character as one com

plex whole or a single feature is presented with the design of moving the affections generally; and sometimes a single affection is addressed by the exhibition of such traits as are adapted to awaken it.

§ 189. In excitation it is more necessary than in explanatory or argumentative discourse to have regard to the feelings of those addressed; since ignorance or mistake here may occasion an entire failure in the very object of the discourse.

§ 190. The mind addressed may be either favorable or unfavorable or indifferent in respect to the object of the speaker.

If the mind be favorable or indifferent, the object may be directly presented with exhibitions of feeling corresponding in degree to the state of feeling in the hearer.

§ 191. If the mind addressed be influenced by a feeling opposed to that which the speaker desires to awaken, great caution is necessary in undertaking to remove it, as a direct opposition will generally only irritate or inflame it the more.

The allaying of such unfavorable feeling may be accomplished indirectly by first exhibiting such views of the object as will not so directly oppose the existing state of feeling, and then, as interest shall be awakened, by passing gradually to other views more favorable to the object of the speaker.

Or other feelings, in their nature incompatible with those to be allayed, and yet not directly opposed to them, may be awakened, and thus the unfavorable feelings be displaced.

The speeches of Antony in the "Julius Cæsar" of Shakes

tus.

peare furnish fine exemplifications of the first of these methods of allaying an unfavorable state of feeling. Antony finds the populace triumphing over the death of Cæsar and cheering the conspirators. He does not at once present himself in opposition. He appears, at first, as the friend of BruHe disclaims all intentions of praising Cæsar. He thus gets their attention, fixes it on Cæsar, and then proceeding to speak of his faults, gradually passes to defend his character, at the same time mingling in high professions of respect for the conspirators, till finally, the rage of the hearers at Cæsar's usurpations and tyranny having been allayed, he presents the proper matter for turning their feelings in the opposite direction, and leaves them clamoring furiously for the destruction of all Cæsar's enemies.

In Brutus's speech just preceding, the second of the methods indicated is exemplified, and the love of the populace for Cæsar is artfully displaced by their love to their country; a sentiment, as here exhibited, incompatible with attachment to Cæsar.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE THEME IN EXCITATION.

§ 192. As the theme in excitation is a notion or a conception, it must ever appear under that form.

If, consequently, a judgment- a fact or truth - be presented as the object in reference to which the feelings are to be excited, it will appear in the form of a clause, and not in that of a principal sentence.

Generally language will allow the expression of a fact or truth, when used as a theme, in discourse, either in the form of a verb or of a noun. We may equally represent the theme, "the death of Christ," under this form or under the form," that Christ died." The latter form turns the mind more directly and unequivocally on the fact as an actual occurrence; and, when this is desired, this form is preferable to the other.

It is of advantage to represent the theme in its appropriate form; as, otherwise, the mind might unconsciously be drawn off to a proof of the fact or truth instead of a simple exhibition of it for the purpose of exciting feeling.

§ 193. The theme, in excitation, further, must embrace the object of the feeling addressed, or the views which are fitted to awaken the feeling.

Although men may, possibly, be excited to a blind passion, so to speak, that is, be aroused by sympathy or otherwise in reference to no distinctly apprehended object, it can yet never be regarded as a proper aim of rational discourse to

produce such unintelligent excitement. It is true, indeed, that the passions never move, except as addressed through the intellect, and even in the ravings of a mob there is some intelligence; still rational discourse will not be contented with this, but will ever aim to present distinctly the particular object in reference to which the feelings are to be moved.

§194. The general principle that governs in regard to the statement of the proposition in excitation is this: that clearness of apprehension and impressiveness require the statement, unless reasons are seen to exist which forbid.

The question has been much agitated, whether it be proper at all to avow beforehand addresses to the feelings. Some writers have disapproved of all such avowals -altogether. "The first and most important point to be observed in every address to any passion, sentiment, feeling," etc., says Dr. Whately, "is that it should not be introduced as such, and plainly avowed; otherwise the effect will be, in great measure if not entirely, lost. . . . When engaged in reasoning, properly so called, our purpose not only need not be concealed, but may, without prejudice to the effect, be distinctly declared; on the other hand, even when the feelings we wish to excite are such as ought to operate, so that there is no reason to be ashamed of the endeavor thus to influence the hearers, still, our purpose and drift should be, if not absolutely concealed, yet not openly declared and made prominent." Even when the sentiments to be awakened are recognized as proper and right, he thinks "men are not likely to be pleased with the idea that they are not already sufficiently under the influence of such sentiments," and "cannot but feel a degree of mortification in making the confession, and a kind of jealousy of the apparent assumption of superiority, in a speaker, who seems to say, 'Now I will exhort you to feel as you ought on this occasion; I will endeavor to inspire you with