12 DEMOSTHENES. that has been injured and beaten." Of so great conse- quence towards the gaming of belief did he esteem the tone and action of the speaker. The action which he used himself was wonderfully pleasing to the common people ; but by well-educated people, as, for example, by Demetrius, the Phalerian, it was looked iipon as mean, humiliating, and lunnanly. And Hermippus says of yEsion, that, being asked his opinion concerning the an- cient orators and those of his own time, he answered that it was admirable to see with what composure and in what high style they addressed themselves to the people ; but that the orations of Demosthenes, when they are read, certainly appear to be superior in point of construction, and more effective.* His written speeches, beyond all question, are characterized by austere tone and by their severity. In his extempore retorts and rejoinders, he allowed himself the use of jest and mockery. When Demades said, "Demosthenes teach me! So might the sow teach Minerva ! " he replied, " Was it this Minerva, that was lately found playing the harlot in Collytus ? " f When a thief, who had the nickname of the Brazen, was attempting to upbraid him for sitting uj) late, and writing by candlelight, " I know very well," said he, " that you had rather have all lights out; and wonder not, ye men of Athens, at the many robberies which are com- mitted, since we have thieves of brass and walls of clay." But on these points, though we have much more to men-
- JEsion was a fellow scholar ently, the more agreeahle part of
with Demosthenes. The com pari- Athens. Plutarch, consoling a son in his remarks gives the supe- friend who was banished from his riority in manner to the old speak- native city, tells him people cannot ers, whom he remembered in his all live where they like best ; it is youth, but in construction, to De- not every Athenian can live in raosthenes, his contemporary. Collytus, nor does a man consider t " Sus Minervam," the prov- himself a miserable exile, who has erb. Collytus, together with Melite, to leave a house in Melite and formed the south-west, and, appar- take one in Diomea.
