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.