In the various exterior qualifications of the orator, Mr Ames, though not perfect, was certainly accomplished. His figure, somewhat above the common size, was well proportioned, erect, and manly. Ilis countenance, al though not marked by the strongest lines, or the boldest features, was lively and intelligent, susceptible of great animation and variety of expression, when thoroughly warmed and iIluutined by debate. His voice was clear, distinct, and melodious, of sufficient compass to fill the largest of our public buildings, and capable oh great va riety in its intonations. His action, although not, per haps, varied to the extent that was allowable and even desirable, was easy, graceful, and appropriate ; and, in his more lofty and impassioned flights, became some times dignified, bold, and commanding. Without ever descending to what might ue denominated the stratag,e ins ol oratory, he, notwithstanding, practised that command of temper, and never failed in the observance of that re gard to the feelings and disposition of the house, which are such powerful auxiliaries to argument and persua sion.
In endeavouring to give a view of the genius of Mr Ames, it is proper to observe, that his imagination was the master faculty of his mind. Original, lofty, prolific, and inventive, yet, at the same time, inimitably sportive and gay, it w as capable of es cry variety of exation. It could mount, with the eagle, through tempests and storms, skim, ss ith the swallow, along the surface of the pool, or, like our own sylph-winged Trochilus,' play fully dart from flow er to floss cr, robbing each of its sweets, or plucking the fairest and weaving them into festoons of the choicest imagery. It was in his hours of relaxation and social intercourse, that these latter qualities of his imagination were displayed with a feli city that never was surpassed. It has been remarked, that those inclit id uals most celebrated for their oratorical, are not generally distinguished, in an equal degree, for their colloquial, talents. With him, however, the case was different. His powers in conversation were even paramount, in their kind, to his eminence in debate. It was within the circle of private friendship that he might be said to feel the influence of a peculiar inspiration. On these occasions, his mind never laboured, nor ap peared to be sensible of its own exertions. Every thing came to it spontaneously and unsought for. did it furnish forth such a rich and gorgeous intellec tual banquet,—the fruits of judgment, the stores of me mory, and the decorations of fancy, delightfully arranged by the hand of taste, while the champaign of wit was brilliantly foaming around the board,—that the scene was heightened almost to enchantment.
Criticism has not yet settled the rank and character of Ames as a writer. Nor, were we otherwise quali fied for it, would either our functions or the limits of this article permit us, at present, to engage in the task. That he possessed, in an ample degree, the power to instruct by the variety and excellence of his matter, to surprise by the novelty of his combinations, and to de light by the beauties of his style, no one who has read his productions will deny. Notwithstanding this, we do not feel authorized to place his works in the highest order of prose composition. This, however, was the result of inauspicious circumstances, rather than of any deficiency in tl.e powers of the writer. Excellency in composition is not attainable by a hasty effort. It is as much the work of time and the offspring of labour, as a highly finished painting, or an exquisite piece of sculp ture. '['he first draught of an essay, however masterly the hand that executes it, is always, in some of its quali ties, imperfect. That writer who does not carefully re view the labours of his pen, will never rise to eminence in his profession. Even the productions of the great Johnson that were written in haste, and hurried to the press without correction, can be easily distinguished from those that received a careful revisal.
Hence arose the principal imperfections, in point of composition, that appear in the works of Mr Ames. They Were hastily written, and seldom revised. Still, however, they constitute a splendid and durable monu ment of talents and research. are an impor tant adoiLion, not only to the scicm.i but to iiterature. We firmly belie% e, moat k NY, it any men living could have written so rapidly, with so little preparation, and, at the same time, so well. They are animated, sententious, full of ornament, and clothed in a style more chaste and classical, than the circumstances under \\Inch they \vete composed N% arralit us to ex pect. If they are not equal to the writings of Burke, whose compositions, perhaps, they most resemble (and we cannot admit that the inferiority is striking) it is only because they were hastier productions. More devoted to his country's welfare than to his own glory, their author hurried them rapidly hum his pen, and as rapidly through the press, anxious only that they should be clearly understood, and the truths they contain be duly appreciated.