Page:Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli (IA memoirsofmargare01fullrich).pdf/127

Rh ciation, every syllable round and energetic; though his manner was the one I love best, very rapid, and full of eager climaxes. Earnestness in every part. — sometimes impassioned earnestness, — a sort of “Dear friends, believe, pray believe, I love you, and you believe as I do” expression, even in the argumentative parts. I felt, as I have so often done before, if I were a man, the gift I would choose should be that of eloquence. That power of forcing the vital currents of thousands of human hearts into current, by the constraining power of that most delicate instrument, the voice, is so intense, — yes, I would prefer it to a more extensive fame, a more permanent influence.’

‘Did I describe to you my feelings on hearing Mr. Everett's eulogy on Lafayette? No; I did not. That was exquisite. The old, hackneyed story; not a new anecdote, not a single reflection of any value; but the manner, the manner, the delicate inflections of voice, the elegant and appropriate gesture, the sense of beauty produced by the whole, which thrilled us all to tears, flowing from a deeper and purer source than that which answers to pathos. This was fine; but I prefer the Thompson manner. Then there is Mr. Webster’s, unlike either; simple grandeur, nobler, more impressive, less captivating. I have heard few fine speakers; I wish I could hear a thousand.

‘Are you vexed by my keeping the six volumes of your Goethe? I read him very little either; I have so little time, — many things to do at home, — my three children, and three pupils besides, whom I instruct.

‘By the way, I have always thought all that was said about the anti-religious tendency of a classical education to be old wives’ tales. But their puzzles about