With regard to the style of eloquence that you shall adopt, that must depend very much on your own taste and genius. You are not disposed, I presume, to be an humble imitator of any man? If you are, you may bid farewell to the hope of eminence in this walk. None are mere imitators to whom nature has given original powers. The ape alone is content with mere imitation. If nature has bestowed such a portion of the spirit of oratory as can advance you to a high rank in this walk, your manner _will be_ your own. In what style of eloquence you are best fitted to excel, you, yourself, if destined to excellence, are the best judge. I can only tell you that the _florid and Asiatic style_ is not the taste of the age. The _strong_, and even the _rugged and abrupt_, are far more successful. Bold propositions, boldly and briefly expressed--pithy sentences--nervous common sense--strong phrases--the _felicitè audax_ both in language and conception--well compacted periods--sudden and strong masses of light--an apt adage in English or Latin--a keen sarcasm--a merciless personality--a mortal thrust--these are the beauties and deformities that now make a speaker the most interesting. A gentleman and a christian will conform to the reigning taste so far only as his principles and habits of _decorum_ will permit. The florid and Asiatic was never a good style either for a European or an American taste. We require that a man should _speak to the purpose_ and _come to the point_--that he should _instruct and convince_. To do this, his mind must move with great strength and power: reason should be manifestly his master faculty--argument should predominate throughout; but these great points secured, wit and fancy may cast their lights around his path, provided the wit be courteous as well as brilliant, and the fancy chaste and modest. But they must be kept well in the back ground, for they are dangerous allies; and a man had better be without them, than to show them in front, or to show them too often. But I am wearying you, my dear sir, as well as myself. If these few imperfect hints, on subjects so extended and diversified, can be of any service to you, I shall be gratified. They may, at least, convince you that your letter has interested me in your behalf, and that I shall be happy to hear of your future fame and prosperity. I offer you my respects, and tender the compliments of the season. WM. WIRT. For the Southern Literary Messenger. MISFORTUNE AND GENIUS: A TALE FOUNDED ON FACT. "You have seen Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears Were like a better day: Those happy smiles That play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to know What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence As pearls from diamonds dropp'd."--_King Lear_.