I am aware that you may, and with success,
adopt a different method of concluding, either
by some pungent things which you reserve for
your peroration, and which tend to maintain to
the last and even to reawaken the attention of
the audience; or else by well-turned periods
which flatter the ear and excite all sorts of
feelings, more or less analogous to the subject, —
or in fine, by any other way. Undoubtedly
there are circumstances in which these orato-
rical artifices are in keeping, and may prove
advantageous or agreeable; I do not reject
them, for in war all means, not condemned by



286 THE CONCLUSION.
htimanitj and hononr, and capable of procuring
victory, are allowable, — and public speaking is
a real conflict; I merely depose that the sim-
plest method is also the best, and that the
others, belonging more to art than to nature,
are rather in the province of rhetoric than of
true eloquence.
THE DISOOUBSB ENDED. 287



CHAP. XXV.
AFTEB THE DISCOUESE.
It should seem as if all had been said, once the
discourse is concluded ; and yet we will add a
few words in the physical and moral interest of
the speaker, we will point out to him various
precautions which may appear futile to certain
persons, and may prove serviceable to others;
at least we have always found our own account
in haviDg adopted them.
