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Show 166 A LEAF FROM Douglass, sincere in the opinions he has espoused, defends them with a fervor and eloquence that finds scarcely a competitor. In his very look-his gesture-in his whole manner, there is so much of genuine, earnest eloquence, that they leave no time for reflection. Now you are reminded of one rushing down some fearful steep, bidding you follow; now on some delightful stream, still beckoning yon onward. In either case, no matter what your prepossessions or oppositions, you for the moment, at least, forget the justness or unjustness of his cause and obey the summons, and loath, if at all, you return to your former post. Not always, however, is he successful in retaining you. Giddy as you may be with the descent yott have made, delighted as you are with the pleasure afforded, with the elysium to wbich he has wafted you, you return too often dissatisfied with his and your own impetuosity and want of firmness. You feel that I you had had only a dream, a pastime, not a reality. This great power of momentary captivation consists in his eloquence of manner-his just appreciation of words. MY ScRAP BooK. 167 In listening to him, your whole soul is fired-<lvery nerve strung-<lvery passion inflated-<lvery faculty you possess ready to perform at a moment's bidding. You stop not to ask why or wherefore. 'Tis a unison of mighty yet harmonious sounds that play upon your imagination; and you give yourself up, for a time, to their irresistible charm. At last, the cataract which roared around you is hushed, the tornado is passed, and you find yourself sitting upon a bank (at whose base roll but tranquil waters), quietly meditating that why, amid such a display of power, no greater effect had really been produced. After all, it must be admitted, there is a power in Mr. Douglass rarely to be found in any other man. With copiousness of language, and finish of diction, when even ideas fail, words come to his aid-arranging themselves, as it were, so completely, that they not only captivate, but often deceive us for ideas; ancl hence the vacuum that would necessarily occur i11 the address of.an ordinary spealcer is filled up, present· ing the same beautiful harmony as do the lights and shades of a picture. |