n with ideas and language at command need be a monotonous
speaker.

EXERCISES

1. Criticize this selection for its diction and sentence structure.
What excellences has it? What can you find fault with? Does its date
explain it?

"The books in the library, the portraits, the table at which
he wrote, the scientific culture of the land, the course of
agricultural occupation, the coming-in of harvests, fruit of
the seed his own hand had scattered, the animals and
implements of husbandry, the trees planted by him in lines,
in copses, in orchards by thousands, the seat under the noble
elm on which he used to sit to feel the southwest wind at
evening, or hear the breathings of the sea, or the not less
audible music of the starry heavens, all seemed at first
unchanged. The sun of a bright day from which, however,
something of the fervors of midsummer were wanting, fell
temperately on them all, filled the air on all sides with the
utterances of life, and gleamed on the long line of ocean.
Some of those whom on earth he loved best, still were there.
The great mind still seemed to preside; the great presence to
be with you; you might expect to hear again the rich and
playful tones of the voice of the old hospitality. Yet a
moment more, and all the scene took on the aspect of one
great monument, inscribed with his name, and sacred to his
memory. And such it shall be in all the future of America!
The sensation of desolateness, and loneliness, and darkness,
with which you see it now, will pass away; the sharp grief of
love and friendship will become soothed; men will repair
thither as they are wont to commemorate the great days of
history; the same glance shall take in, and same emotions
shall greet and bless, the Harbor of the Pilgrims and the
Tomb of Webster."

RUFUS CHOATE: _A Discourse Commemorative of Daniel
Webster_, 1853

2. What is the effect of the questions in the following? Are the
sentences varied? If the occasion was momentous, what is the style?

"And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been
in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten
years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been
pleased to solace themselves and the house? Is it that
insidious smile with which our petition has been lately
received? Trust it not, Sir; it will pro