7. To what do you ascribe the unpopularity which embittered his declining years? 8. What important public positions did he fill? FROM "REPLY TO HAYNE" 1. State the "nullification doctrine" propounded by Senator Hayne. 2. Why does Webster defend Massachusetts against the charge of having formerly attempted to nullify an act of Congress? 3. Explain the impracticality of state nullification. 4. Was the federal government created by the States? 5. State how the mere existence of the federal constitution implies the subordination of the States. 6. Show how Webster brings ridicule of his opponent to the aid of his argument. 7. What would be the inevitable and direct result of nullification? 8. Do you think the statement of Webster that he was "drawn into the debate, with no previous deliberation," etc., to be literally true? 9. Read carefully the peroration, pp. 281-283; one of the grandest passages in American eloquence. 10. Does Webster show the influence of the classics as well as the moderns? Compare his style with that of Demosthenes, IV, 161. FOR REFERENCE "Famous American Statesmen."--BOLTON. "The True Daniel Webster."--FISHER. "Daniel Webster."--MCCALL. "John Adams, and Other Essays."--CHAMBERLAIN. "Daniel Webster, the Expounder of the Constitution."--WHEELER. "American Literature and other Papers."--WHIPPLE. PLATO (427 B.C.-347 B.C.) An Athenian by birth, Plato's youth was spent in the midst of the tumult and gloom in which Athens, the flower of Greek civilization, fell victim to her greed and arrogance and succumbed to the sturdy, rising power of Sparta. But his maturity and later years saw the growth of a purified and enlightened spirit of culture which raised Greek thought above local pettiness and prepared for the day of alliance with Roman enterprise. His youth was passed under the inspiring guidance of Socrates, whose searching inquiries into the depths of human nature marked the beginning of the loftiest philosophy of ancient times. Plato, and Aristotle, his pupil, carried on the work begun by Socrates, involving the discussion of the entire experience of Greek life and the criticism of its principles. Upon the condemnation and death of Socrates in 399 B.C. the circle of his disciples was broken up, Plato fleeing with others to Megara. He spent the next twelve years in travel, visiting most of the centers of learning of the ancient world. On his return to Athens about 388 B.C. he founded the famous school of the Academy, and settled down to the study and teaching of philosophy.