Garrick's Precepts to Preachers.
GARRICK having been requested by Dr. Stonehouse to favor him with his opinion as to the manner in which a sermon ought to be delivered, the English Roscius sent him the following judicious answer: My Dear Pupil—You know how you would feel and speak in a parlor concerning a friend who was in imminent danger of his life, and with what energetic pathos of diction and countenance you would enforce the observance of that which you really thought would be for his preservation. You would not think of playing the orator, or studying your emphasis, cadence and gesture; you would be yourself; and the interesting nature of your subject, impressing your heart, would furnish you with the most natural tone of voice, the most proper language, the most engaging features, and the most suitable and graceful gestures. What you would thu be in the parlor, be in the pulpit, and you will not fail to please, to affect, and to profit. Adieu, my dear friend.