pulpit, and that again with the sounding board, together with its cushions, its staircase, and all its apparatus accommodated only for repose,-if these were totally removed, and in their place a platform were erected of convenient size and height, the preacher might stand on that, and deliver thence his discourse with grace, and with effect." This situation, which at first appears novel, differs little from that of the reader at the communion table, whose position has always a grand and decorous effect: because no close panels cut off the half of his person; but the whole is seen with all possible advantage.

26

The platform should have either rails at the back, and steps at the three sides next the congregation to give the position an air of safety and gradual elevation, or if it were preferred, might have the steps at the back, and a low rail enclosing the three sides." Upon this platform should the preacher stand

25 As the preacher, even according to our custom, stands in delivering his discourse, there does not appear to be any necessity for a system of cushions to induce him to loll upon, nor, as he is clothed to the feet, for any enclosure to conceal his lower limbs, nor yet is any support necessary for his writing, which is never too heavy to be held in the hand.

26 Sterne's picture of Trim is highly suitable for the character he has employed to read; but St. Paul's, by Raphael, is much more becoming to the preacher.

27 Marmontel approves of the form of the pulpits as they are used in France and in England. He thinks they restrain the extravagance of the preachers of his country: for a contrary reason I should prefer the form of the ancient tribune, or that of the pulpits of Italy, in order to give more freedom to the action of our preachers, who are disposed to be too tame and cold.

C'est peutêtre une raison pour nous de ne pas regretter l'espace de la tribune ancienne et celui des chaires d'Italie. On voit par un mot de Ciceron que les orateurs de son temps abusoient quelquefois de la liberté de leurs movemens: rarus inccssus, recommandoit il, nec ita longus, excursio moderata, eaque rara. Orat,

On dit que les prédicateurs d'Italie auroient souvent besoin de la même leçon. En France, la forme de nos chaires, et la situation de nos avocats au barreau, ne laisse que l'action d buste: c'en est assez pour les orateurs eloquens, et c'en est beaucoup trop encore pour les mauvais déclamateurs. Elémens de Littérature, artic. Declamation Oratoire, p. 290.

(as St. Paul is so finely represented in the Cartoons of Raphael); he might hold his sermon in his left hand, and with his right in general make his gestures. Sometimes he might use both, sometimes use with fine effect his hand and sermon. And if the preacher should prefer to pronounce his discourse without notes, he would in this situation, and clad in the decent and graceful robes which are the proper habit of our ministers, be enabled to practise with advantage every power of delivery, and every dignified and suitable gesture."

28,29

The platform should be raised about as high as the breasts of the congregation, and not be placed at such a giddy elevation as should give the idea of danger, nor boxed up, as if some juggling were to be performed within. It should be railed like the communion table, and be in all respects similar, only raised somewhat higher, and enclosing a smaller space. The furniture should be a chair for the preacher to sit in before or after

23 Mr. Sheridan very freely condemns the form of the pulpit. Art of Speaking, p. 42. Edit. Dub.

The clergy have one considerable apology from the awkwardness of the place they speak from. A pulpit is, by its very make, necessarily destructive of all grace of attitude. What could even a Tully do in a tub, just big enough for him to stand in, immersed up to the arm pits, pillowing his chin upon its cushion, as Milton describes the sun upon the orient wave? but it is hardly to be expected, that this, or any other impropriety in sacred matters, of which there are many greater, should be altered. Errors in them, become, by long establishment, sacred. And I doubt not, but some of the narrower part of the clergy, as well as of the people, would think any other form of a pulpit, than the present, though much fitter for exhibiting the speaker to an advantage, an innovation likely to prove dangerous to religion, and, which is worse, to the church.

29 An observation in the Dialogus de Oratoribus attributed to Tacitus, applies to our pulpits and to the bar. Quantum virium detraxisse orationi auditoria et tabularia credimus, in quibus jam fere plurimæ causæ explicantur? nam quomodo nobiles equos cursus et spatia probant; sic est aliquis oratorum campus, per quem nisi liberi et soluti ferantur, debilitatur ac frangitur eloquentia. Dial. de Orat. c. 39.

the sermon, and a cushion to kneel upon, with a small moveable reading desk or oratory holding a prayer book. A moveable or suspended branch would be necessary, if a discourse were to be delivered in the evening.

CHAPTER VIII.

ACTING.

Difference between the actor and the orator in the character sustained by each, and in the mode of action-Comparative rank of actors-The opera-The serious opera compared with tragedy-Causes of the imperfections in the construction and execution of the opera—Ideal perfection of the opera—Its general degree of perfection-The necessity and effects of fine acting in the opera.

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