However, the powers of the orator,
as Theopompus tells us, rekindled their courage and ambition so
effectually that all other objects were disregarded. They lost sight
of fear, of caution, of every prior attachment, and, through the force
of his eloquence, fell with enthusiastic transports into the path of
honour.
So powerful, indeed, were the efforts of the orator that Philip
immediately sent ambassadors to Athens to apply for peace. Greece
recovered her spirits, whilst she stood waiting for the event; and not
only the Athenian generals, but the governors of Boeotia, were ready to
execute the commands of Demosthenes. All the assemblies, as well those
of Thebes as those of Athens, were under his direction: he was equally
beloved, equally powerful, in both places; and, as Theopompus shows, it
was no more than his merit claimed. But the superior power of fortune,
which seems to have been working at revolution, and drawing the
liberties of Greece to a period at that time, opposed and baffled all
the measures that could be taken. The deity discovered many tokens of
the approaching event.
ELIHU BURRITT
(1810-1879)
"THE LEARNED BLACKSMITH"
This man's career is the star example of the pursuit of knowledge under
difficulties.
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