The substance of some of his speeches is transmitted to us by Thucydides; and that excellent writer has doubtless faithfully reported the general line of his arguments.

But the manner, which in oratory is of at least as much consequence as the matter, was of no importance to his narration.

It is evident that he has not attempted to preserve it.

Throughout his work, every speech on every subject, whatever may have been the character of the dialect of the speaker, is in exactly the same form.

The grave king of Sparta, the furious demagogue of Athens, the general encouraging his army, the captive supplicating for his life, all are represented as speakers in one unvaried style,--a style moreover wholly unfit for oratorical purposes.