not better than hares and foxes, understand, that they make a wrong match with wolves and greyhounds." As she said this, she let a hare out from her lap, as a token of the fearfulness of the Romans. The result of the battle, however, proved, that there was more wit than truth in the comparison.

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FUNERAL ORATIONS.

"Vita enim mortuorum in memoria vivorum est posita."

CICERO.

The origin of the custom of pronouncing funeral orations over departed worth, is generally ascribed to Valerius Publicola. We are told by Plutarch, that Valerius having honoured the obsequies of his colleague with an eloquent discourse in praise of his many virtues, the Romans were so pleased with the novelty, that it became a regular custom ever afterwards to have the characters of their great men illustrated in a funeral oration by the most eloquent among their survivors.

The custom of the Romans has been continued among the Christians; and it is to be wished, that with the custom we had also borrowed one of the laws by which it was regulated. "It was part of the laws of burial," says Cicero, " that only honourable men should be honoured with funeral orations."

The shortest and perhaps also the best funeral oration extant, is that pronounced by the Earl of Morton over the grave of the illustrious Scottish Reformer, John Knox. "Here lies he who never feared the face of man."

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CRILLON---KING CLOVIS.

The brave Crillon attending on a Good Friday the public offices of devotion, was so affected by an eminent Preacher's delineation of our Saviour's death and sufferings, that, laying his hand upon his sword, he cried out in a transport of generous resentment, "Where art thou, Crillon?"

It would be idle to suspect Crillon of plagiarism in his honest anger, and mode of venting it. Yet his behaviour was merely a copy of that of King Clovis, on a similar occasion. "Had I been present at the head of my valiant Franks," exclaimed that monarch indignantly, "I would have redressed his wrongs!"

PETER THE HERMIT.

It is difficult to fix limits to human achievements, when superstition or enthusiasm is aided by the power of eloquence. The celebrated Peter the Hermit having made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, towards the close of the eleventh century, was deeply impressed with the oppressions sustained by the Christians from the Turks, and resolved to make an effort to rouse the western nations to arms in their behalf. The appearance of Peter was mean, his stature small, his body meagre, and his countenance shrivelled; but with these disadvantages he had a keen and lively eye, and a ready eloquence. Being encouraged by Pope Urban II. he travelled as a missionary through the provinces of Italy and France. He rode on an ass; his head and feet were naked, and he bore a weighty crucifix. He

prayed frequently, fed on bread and water, gave away in alms, all that he received, and by his saintly demeanour and fervid address, drew innumerable crowds of all ranks to listen to his preaching. When he

painted the indignities offered to the true believers at the birth-place and sepulchre of the Saviour, every heart was melted to compassion, and animated to revenge. His success was such as might be expected from the rude enthusiasm and martial spirit of the age; and Peter soon collected an army of 60,000 followers, with which he proceeded towards Jerusalem.

POPE URBAN II.

Pope Urban II. finding a general ardour for the crusade against the Turks, proposed by Peter the Hermit on his return from Palestine in 1093, assembled a grand and numerous council at Placentia, and warmly recommended an expedition against the infidels. Soon after the proposal was renewed with success at the council of Clermont; at which were present, the papal court and council of Roman cardinals, thirteen archbishops, two hundred and twenty-five bishops, four hundred mitred prelates, four thousand ecclesiastics, and three hundred thousand laymen. In the market-place of Clermont, Pope Urban II. ascended a lofty scaffold, and addressed a well-prepared and impatient audience. Such was the success and power of his eloquence, that he was interrupted by the clamorous shouts of thousands, who with one voice exclaimed, Deus vult! Deus vult! God wills it! God wills it! "It is indeed the will of God," replied the pope : " and let this memorable

word, the inspiration surely of the Holy Spirit, be for ever adopted as your cry of battle, to animate the devotion and courage of the champions of Christ. His cross is the symbol of your salvation: wear it; a red, a bloody cross, as an external mark on your breasts or shoulders, as a pledge of your sacred and irrevocable engagement."

JOHN KNOX.

In 1565, Lord Darnley, who had lately married Mary, Queen of Scots, consented, at the desire of his friends, to go and hear Mr. Knox preach, in hopes thereby of conciliating him; instead of which, he took occasion to declaim against the government of wicked princes, who, for the sins of the people, are sent as tyrants and scourges, to torment them. Darnley complained of the insult to the council, who interdicted the preacher from the use of his pulpit for several days.

Rigid and uncomplying himself," says Dr. Robertson," he shewed no indulgence to the infirmities of others. Regardless of the distinction of rank and character, he uttered his admonitions with acrimony and vehemence, more apt to irritate than to reclaim. Those very qualities, however, which now render his character less amiable, fitted him to be the instrument of Providence for advancing the reformation among a fierce people, and enabled him to face dangers and to surmount opposition, from which a person of a more gentle spirit would have been apt to shrink back."

MASSILON.

There stands

The legate of the skies! His theme divine,
His office sacred, his credentials clear:
By him, the violated law speaks out

Its thunders; and by him, in strains as sweet
As angels use, the gospel whispers peace."

COWPER.

When this illustrious preacher was asked where a man like him, whose life was dedicated to retirement, could borrow his admirable descriptions of real life, he answered," From the human heart; however little we examine it, we shall find in it the seeds of every passion. When I compose a sermon, I imagine myself consulted upon some doubtful piece of business. I give my whole application to determine the person who has recourse to me, to act the good and proper part. I exhort him, I urge him, and I quit him not till he has yielded to my persuasions."

On preaching the first Advent Sermon at Versailles, Louis XIV. paid the following most expressive tribute to the power of his eloquence. Father, when I hear others preach, I am very well pleased with them; when I hear you, I am dissatisfied with myself."

The first time he preached his sermon on the small number of the elect, the whole audience were at a certain part of it seized with such violent emotion, that almost every person half rose from his seat, as if to shake off the horror of being one of the cast-out into everlasting darkness.

When Baron, the actor, came from hearing one of his sermons, Friend," said he, to one of the same profession, who accompanied him, "here is an orator; we are only actors."

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