Oratory


AT the time when Sir Richard Steele was preparing his great room in York

Buildings for public orations, he was behindhand in his payments to the

workmen; and coming one day among them, to see what progress they made,

he ordered the carpenter to get into the rostrum, and speak anything

that came uppermost, that he might observe how it could be heard. Why

then, Sir Richard, says the fellow, here have we been working for you

these six months, and cannot get one penny of money. Pray, sir, when do

you mean to pay us?--Very well, very well, said Sir Richard; pray

come down; I have heard quite enough; I cannot but own you speak very

distinctly, though I don't much admire your subject.



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