This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 Excerpt: ...near the door, withdrew before the conclusion, and were regaling themselves, hard by, at the bar of the St. Charles, when suddenly the church resounded with a burst of applause. "Wilde is warming up!" some one remarked; another and another demonstration followed in quick succession, each more earnest than the other. ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 Excerpt: ...near the door, withdrew before the conclusion, and were regaling themselves, hard by, at the bar of the St. Charles, when suddenly the church resounded with a burst of applause. "Wilde is warming up!" some one remarked; another and another demonstration followed in quick succession, each more earnest than the other. "It must he Prentiss; let us go t" was the exclamation; and sure enough, they found him in the midst of one of those almost inspired and rapturous bursts of eloquence, which seemed to come over him involuntarily, and which transported the enlightened audience. Several spirited notices of this impromptu address appeared at the time, or since, of which the following is the pith: It was a happy thought, which suggested the meeting at Mr. Clapp's church, on Tuesday evening. Richard H. Wilde, Esq., made an admirable address. He entered into an argument to refute the sneering objection sometimes made to the culture of the fine arts, that they are effeminating, luxurious, and mark the decline of virtue, courage, and popular liberty. He passed in rapid review those golden periods of Art, which have, from time to time, marked the history of every free and prosperous nation of the civilized world. He pointed to the career of Michael Angelo, and dwelt most felicitously upon those commanding traits of his character, which formed in him the bright and onique combination of statesman, soldier, poet, painter, architect, and sculptor. He dwelt upon the American associations with the name of Benjamin Franklin. He then imparted a peculiar interest to the character and genius of our countryman, Powers, by relating what the Italians--those who professed the same art, and ranked first in their own land--what Thorwaldsen, the great Danish sculptor...
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