Speeches of the Right Hon. George Canning. 8vo. Kay & Brother. Philadelphia. 1835. In a nation yet young, and but just forming its oratory, it is necessary that it should have some classic models of eloquence, by the study of which it may create a correct style. It should have some manuals of instruction to guide aright the education of the student; and it is for these reasons that we rejoice in the appearance of this second number of a series of volumes, containing collections of the best speeches of the great English Orators. They are prepared by Mr. Robert Walsh, the eminent editor of the "American Quarterly Review." The selections are made with judgment, and the prefaces are written in an elegant and pure style. The volume under notice contains the best speeches of George Canning, preceded by an interesting and comprehensive biography. Mr. Canning's speeches are characterized by all the essentials of perfect oratory, though the development of each of these requisites, beyond the degree to which he possessed them, is necessary to make a perfect orator. Brilliant wit, deep and solemn pathos, the keenest satire, and great logical acumen, he possessed in an eminent degree. As a man of practical wisdom, he always adapted his address to the character of his audience. Within the Parliament house, his speeches seemed framed after the most rigid models of ancient eloquence, pure in their taste, and entwining the choicest flowers of classical literature round the solid pillars of argument. In addressing the people, he brought down his mind from its commanding elevation to a level with their own capacities; not indeed sinking into vulgarity, but yet speaking in a homely English style, with an eloquence that made every word thrill upon the ear, and, like one of our own orators, seizing every public occasion to impress his hearers with a love of country, and an attachment to high moral principles. His rich imagination indeed, at times, led him to decorate his discourses with too much ornament, but this was only an occasional defect. He was one of those men who are originally endowed with great capacities of mind, and who develope their powers not by an exclusive cultivation of one faculty, but by a due improvement of all. We should think that he received from nature a greater proportion of the imaginative than of the reasoning faculty; but yet, by a proper cultivation of the latter, he became one of the closest debaters in the English Parliament. His success was an illustration of the great necessity of extensive acquisitions, and hard study, to form His speeches, imbued with classical lore, give proof of his devotion to the great writers of antiquity, and their many illustrations, drawn from almost every department of literature, testify to his varied learning. an orator. His career was a brilliant one from his youth upward. At Eton, he was distinguished as a scholar, and as a writer for a college journal founded by himself, entitled the "Microcosm," which was conducted with remarkable ability. At Oxford he gained great reputation for his indefatigable devotion to study, and his success in competing for several prize essays. In consequence of pecuniary embarrassments, he was obliged to leave Oxford without graduating. He betook himself to the study of the law at Lincoln's Inn; where his talents immediately attracted attention, and, as a young man of abilities, his acquaintance was solicited by the leading members of the rival political parties. At the advice of Burke, who in this. instance, as with Barry the painter, generously offered him counsel and assistance, he left the law, and com menced preparing himself for a statesman. At the age of twenty-four he entered Parliament. Although thrown into contact with the great orators of the golden age of English eloquence- Burke, Fox, Sheridan, and Pitt, he soon attained a high distinction as a Parliamentary orator. He enlisted with the ministerial party, and thereby put himself in opposition to the great orators of the liberal party. He soon became their most formidable opponent, and even contested with them the palm of eloquence. While Pitt was at the helm of state, guiding the vessel with an energetic arm, and a cool judgment, through the stormy waves of public excitement, raised by the French Revolution, Canning, with a voice of power, which was heard even above the roar of the tempest, was encouraging the mariners to duty, and infusing into the most timid a spirit of courage that made them look danger in the face, and bring the glorious vessel, unhurt by the fury of the storm, into a harbour of peace. He seemed born for his age and country. At the outbreak of the French Revolution, the accumulated weight of the liberal opinions of two centuries was brought to bear upon the British constitution. Had not the greatest intellectual power of the country come to its assistance, it might have fallen a victim to partisan violence. It was fortunate then for the destinies of England, that Canning lent his aid to the ministerial party. His political wisdom was manifested in this particular, that observing the increased sway of liberal opinions, he deemed it most prudent to relax in some degree the severity of tory principles. He therefore infused into the policy of that, the then reigning party, a tone of liberality, which modified their character, and diminished the virulence of opposition. Like our fathers, in the formation of our constitution, he made provision to adapt the British constitution to the character of the times, without however impairing its stability, or original form. His views thus answered to Burke's description of a good government. "If there be one criterion, which, more than all the rest, distinguishes a wise and prudent government, from an administration weak and improvident, it is well to know when, and in what manner, to yield what it is impossible to keep.” His elocution was of a commanding character- of deep intonation, with a strong, and flexible voice. It was manly, and gave proper effect to his sentiments. His face bore the impress of his mind. His forehead rose high and bold, and his eyes were brilliant with intellectual light. He died when in full possession of the great object of his ambition- the Premiership-amid the universal regret of the nation. The exhibition of such a life, marked with so many virtues, is an ennobling object of contemplation. Such men as Burke and Canning raise the standard of moral excellence, and exert an influence which extends to the latest posterity. An examination into the character of such minds, in their biographies, must produce a beneficial influence on the reader; inspiring him with a love of virtue, by an exhibition of its genial effects as developed in their practice, and prompting him to a persevering cultivation of the intellectual powers, by showing him what great effects they may produce, when properly improved. Though it was satirically said of Burke, "He, born for the universe narrowed his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind,” yet we think it cannot be properly said of Mr. Canning. His powers were such as could insure success as an orator, and it was necessary, at the time he entered on * Speech on America. political life, that every powerful mind, adapted to politics, should devote itself to the defence of the state. His energies, united with those of Burke and Pitt, prevented the overthrow of the government, and the consequent long train of evils which would have ensued on such a calamity. As every statesman has it within his power to do, he improved the condition of society by the enactment of wise measures, tending to promote tranquillity and the security of personal rights, and he lent his influence to the exertions, then begun, to suppress the slave trade, and which afterwards had a successful issue. The influence of his actions may be seen in all the beneficial effects growing out of the above results, and which at once exempt him from the denomination of being "a mere politician," a name which is so profusely applied by the unthinking to statesmen who have not founded a new empire, or overthrown an old one. THE TEAR OF SYMPATHY. "T was not thine eye so calm and bright, 'T was not the smile that met my sight, Although that soft and azure eye "T was not that all-enchanting sound, Which bids the heart rejoice; |