Although Mr. Curran appears here to have commenced hostilities, it should be mentioned, that he was apprized of Mr. Fitzgibbon's having given out in the ministerial circles, that he would take an opportunity during the debate, in which he knew that Mr. Curran would take a part, of putting down the young patriot. The Duchess of Rutland, and all the ladies of the castle, were present in the gallery, to witness what Mr. Curran called, in the course of the debate, 66 this exhibition by command." When Mr. Curran sat down, Mr. Fitzgibbon, provoked by the expressions he had used, and by the general tenor of his observations, replied with much personality, and among other things, denominated Mr. Curran a "puny babbler." Mr. C. retorted by the following description of his opponent. I am not a man whose respect in person and character depends upon the importance of his office; I am not a young man who thrusts himself into the fore-ground of a picture, which ought to be occupied by a better figure; I am not one who replies with invective, when sinking under the weight of argument. I am not a man who denies the necessity of parliamentary reform, at the time that he approves its expediency, by reviling his own constituents, the parish clerk, the sexton, and the grave digger; and if there be any man who can apply what I am not, to himself, I leave him to think of it in the committee, and contemplate upon it when he goes home." The result of this night's debate was a duel between Mr. Curran and Mr. Fitzgibbon; after exchanging shots, they separated, but confirmed in their feeling of mutual aversion. At the assizes at Cork, Curran had once just entered upon his case, and stated the facts to the jury. He then with his usual impressivness and pathos, appealed to their feelings, and was concluding the whole with this sentence. "Thus, gentlemen, I trust I have made the innocence of that persecuted man as clear to you as"-At that instant the sun, which had hitherto been overclouded, shot its rays into the courthouse; "as clear to you," continued he, "as yonder sun-beam, which now bursts in among us, and supplies me with its splendid illustration.” BOURDALOUE. "Hear him but reason in divinity, And all admiring with an inward wish, SHAKSPEARE. The reputation or eloquence which this celebrated preacher very early acquired, reaching the ears of Louis XIV. his majesty sent for him to preach the Advent Sermon in 1670; which he did with such success, that he was retained for many years after as a preacher at court. He was called the King of Preachers, and the Preacher to Kings; and Louis himself said, that he would rather hear the repetitions of Bourdaloue, than the novelties of another. With a collected air, Bourdaloue had little action; he kept his eyes generally half closed, and penetrated the hearts of the people by the sound of a voice uniform and solemn. On one occasion, he turned the peculiarity of his external aspect to very memorable advan tage. After depicting in soul-awakening terms a sinner of the first magnitude, he suddenly opened his eyes, and casting them full on the king, who sat opposite to him, he added, in a voice of thunder, "Thou art the man." The effect was magical, confounding. When he had finished his discourse, he immediately went, and throwing himself at the feet of his sovereign, "Sire," said he, " behold at your feet one who is the most devoted of your servants; but punish him not, that in the pulpit he can own no other master than the King of Kings." INDEX. ANECDOTES OF ELOQUENCE. page. Ambassador, free spoken.... 164] Facetious Preachers Athenian Orators............ 151 Fisher, Bishop Atterbury, Bishop............ 37 Audi alteram partem .................. 22 page. 154 ........ 141 87 Flechier 48 Fletcher of Salton 22 Flood and Grattan 93 Florian 165 Foster, Judge. 130 Beggar, candid 148 Fox's India Bill 101 Belhaven, Lord 55 Frederick the Great... 38, 159 Begum Charge 99 Freedom of Speech 153 Bench and Bar. 148 French Curate 46 Demetrius.............................................. 122 Jesuit of Maranham ........ 136 Demosthenes.............. 162 Improvisatori... 170 20 89 6 3 Jewel, Bishop Kirwan, Dean .............. 163 44 Elizabeth, Queen.......... 26 Lambrun, Margaret Ellenborough, Lord 75 La Rue ... Erskine, Lord Elocution, power of..... Eloquence of Silence.......... 141 Excommunication Extemporaneous Oratory.... Erskine ad 127 101 Long Parliament 50 -Speeches 7 Loughborough, Lord........ |