Elements of Rhetoric - Comprising an Analysis of the Laws of Moral Evidence and of Persuasion, With Rules for Argumentative Composition and Elocution #261721

The subject indeed stands perhaps but a few de grees above Logic in popular estimation; the one being generally regarded by the vulgar as the Art of bewildering the learned by frivolous subtleties the other, that of deluding the multitude by spe cious falsehood. And if a treatise on composition be itself more favourably received than the work of a Logician, the Author of it must yet labour under still greater disadvantages. He may be thought to challenge criticism and his own performances may be condemned by a reference to his own precepts or, on the other hand, his precepts may be under valued, through his own failures in their applica tion. Should this take place in the present instance, I have only to urge, with Horace in his Art of Poetry, that a Whetstone, though itself incapable of cutting, is 'yet useful in sharpening steel. No sv stem of instruction will completely equalize natural powers; and yet it may be of service towards their improvement. A youthful Achilles may acquire skill in hurling the javelin under the instruction of a Chiron, though the master may not be able to compete with the pupil in vigour of arm.