Languages & literature > Abridgement of lectures on rhetoric

INTRODUCTION.
A PROPER acquaintance with the circle
of Liberal Arts is requilke to the ftudy
of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. To ex¬
tend the knowledge of them muft be the
firft care of thofe, who wilh either to write
with reputation, or fo to exprefs themfelves.
in public, as to command attention. A-
mong the antients it was an effential prin¬
ciple, that the orator ought to be conver-
fant in every department of learning. No
art indeed can be contrived, which can
ftamp merit on a compofition, rich or
fplendid in expreffion, but barren or erro¬
neous in fentiment.-p Oratory, it is true,,
has often been difgraced by attempts to ef-
tablifh a falfe criterion of its value. Wri¬
ters have endeavored to fupply want of
matter by graces of compofition j and court¬
ed the temporary applaufe of the ignorant
inftead of the lading approbation of the
difcerning. But fuch impofture muft be
fliort and tranfitory. The body and fub-
ftance of any valuable compofition mult
be formed of knowledge and fcience. Rhe-