CHAPTER SEVEN.

Public Speeches and Patriotic Sentiment.

ORATION ON THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

GEORGE BANCROFT.

1. With what statements does the orator introduce his speech? 2. What does he say of the mourning which the death of the president has called forth?

3. Why did it not seem fitting to analyze his character or his career at that time?

4. What was it hard to believe?

5. What change had taken place within a few years in the circumstances and fame of Abraham Lincoln ?

6. What had made him a character toward which all the eyes of the world had turned with respect and admiration? 7. By what qualities was he fitted for a wise administration? 8. What other causes had been at work in the fulfilment of what had been accomplished?

9. What had been done by the government that immediately preceded his administration?

10. Contrast the condition in which he found the republic with that in which he left it.

11. Enumerate some of the changes that had been effected. 12. How was he looked upon by the proud when he first assumed

his office?

13. How had the people of the nation assured him of their confi

dence?

14. How did he manifest a sweet disposition, and a magnanimity almost unparalleled ?

15. What pertinent questions does the orator ask?

16. How does he answer the questions?

17. Why does he say that no sentiment of despair should mix with the nation's sorrow?

18. What does he predict as the result of the president's death by

the hand of an assassin ?

19. At whom was the blow aimed that took the life of the presi

dent ?

20. What was the object of the crime?

21. What is said of his grave, his monument, and his enduring

memory?

22. Repeat the orator's benediction.

23. Why was the president happy in life and happy in death?

LINCOLN'S SPEECH IN INDEPENDENCE HALL.

1. What were the circumstances under which this speech was made?

2. What does he say of his feelings on the occasion ?

3. What had been suggested to him?

4. What did he say in return?

5. What had he often pondered over ?

6. What question had he often asked himself?

7. How does he now answer the inquiry?

8. On what basis does he think the country must be saved if saved at all?

9. Does he think this principle should be given up in any case? 10. What did he say about the use of force by the government? 11. What apology did he make for his unpremeditated speech?

LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG SPEECH.

1. Prepare a careful analysis of this piece.

2. See if you can point out the elements in this speech which have made it so famous throughout the world.

REMARK. Few speeches have ever been made which were so appropriate to the occasion on which they were delivered, so brief, and yet so far-reaching in their suggestions.

BARBARA FRIETCHIE.

J. G. WHITTIER.

1. Give the poet's description of the town of Frederick and its

surroundings.

2. Describe the entrance of the Confederate army.

3. How did Barbara Frietchie show her patriotism?

4. What order was given and executed, as the soldiers came before the window where the stars and stripes were floating?

5. What was the effect of the firing?

6. Describe the fearless action of the brave woman.

7. How did her words affect the leader of the Confederate forces? 8. What order did he give?

9. How does the poet beautifully describe the floating of the torn flag that day?

10. With what benediction does he close the poem ?

11. Write a paraphrase of the poem, and learn by experience how difficult it is to produce the impressiveness of the poet, when the fire of poetic genius does not warm the heart of the writer.

DIFFICULTIES AND TORMENTS IN TRYING TO CONCEAL

CRIME.

DANIEL WEBSTER.

1. In what simple but effective manner does the great orator introduce his subject?

2. What does Providence seem to have ordained with reference to such things?

3. What outward influences and actions are likely to lead to the discovery of crime?

4.

What are some of the feelings that impel the murderer to

confess his own guilt?

5. How is it that the secret which he possesses comes at last to possess him?

6. How is he finally driven to confession?

7. Notice the simple language of this wonderful speech, and how plain and straightforward the statements are.

8. Observe how skilfully the parts are arranged, and how irresistibly, step by step, the mind is led on till the culminating point is reached

EMANCIPATION

J. G. WHITTIER.

1. What announcement does the poet make to the dark, sad

millions?

2. What cheering command does he give them?

3. What spirit does he exhort them to manifest ?

4. What does he advise them to do?

NATIONAL PARTIALITY AND PREJUDICE.

BOLINGBROKE.

1. What does the writer regard as one of the most epidemical follies among the sons of men ?

2. At what were the Chinese mandarins strangely surprised? 3. What can contribute most to prevent us from being tainted with this foolish vanity?

4. By frequently renewing this prospect to the mind, what change will it produce in our judgment and feelings?

5. By what example does he illustrate this change?

PATRIOTISM; LIBERTY; FREEDOM.

1. What is said of patriots?

COWPER.

2. What does he incur who puts confidence in such declaimers

for liberty as are themselves the slaves of lust?

3. What significant questions does the poet ask?

4.

What is said of the value of a liberty that is not often sung by poets or praised by senators?

5. What is this glorious liberty, and whence is it derived ? 6. How is it bought, and how sealed?

7. Who is the real freeman?

8. Can such a one be bound by foes?

9. With what propriety can he claim as his own all the grand and beautiful things in nature or in art ?

10. How can he have a richer use of other men's possessions than they have themselves?

II. What may be said of the city of his birth ?

12. What of the extent and universality of his freedom?

13. Is it possible to bind the freedom of a man in whom God delights, and in whom he dwells?

14. Analyze the selection.

15. Give a synopsis of each topic.

16. Note the passages that especially please you.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

Reflective.

THE NIGHT JOURNEY OF A RIVER.

W. C. BRYANT.

1. How is the river addressed?

2. How does it glide on?

3. What is said of its ministry?

4. By whom are the elements for a time left in peace?

5. Who have, for a while, forgotten their toils?

6. What does the poet hear all through the night?

7. What is said of the river's everlasting journey?

8. Whence does it draw its silvery train?

9. What will the dweller by the river's side find at morn, though all the waters that upbore his boat the day before have slid away over night?

10. What good offices has the river been performing during the

silent hours of the night?

II. What does the poet say of the voice that the river utters

while all else is still ?