A COMPARISON
Lecture before the CHERAW LYCEUM, South Carolina, June 2, 1876.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CHERAW LYCEUM:--In appearing before you this evening, I feel a great apprehension of disappointing your expectations. My life having been spent at the bar and in politics, and making no pretensions to science or literature, I am conscious of my inability to give you a lecture worthy of your learning and the reputation of your Society.
The Lyceum was first established by Aristotle, in the shady groves of Illissis, near the city of Athens. There the young men of Greece assembled to hear the stagarile discourse on Philosophy, in all its branches, comprising Ethics, Logic, Politics, Natural History, Astronomy and Religion. I am the merest smatterer in all these branches of human knowledge, and inferior to those whom I have been called upon to lecture. But in your kind invitation you generously extended to me the privilege of selecting the subject of my address. You did like a learned judge told me, was his habit in the circuit of sending to "mine host" for a book to read. He never indicated what kind of book he wished. This he left entirely to the selection of his host, whilst he amused himself by seeing what kind of book was sent.
Let me first congratulate you, gentlemen, on the suc-
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Publication information:
Book title: Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen, with Speeches, Addresses and Letters.
Contributors: B. F. Perry - Author.
Publisher: The Ferree Press.
Place of publication: Philadelphia.
Publication year: 1887.
Page number: 217.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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