8.  Look up the meaning of every unfamiliar expression in this extract.  Is the quotation at the end in good taste?  Give reasons for your answer.  For what kinds of audiences would this speech be fitting?

“The remedy for the constant excess of party spirit lies, and lies alone, in the courageous independence of the individual citizen.  The only way, for instance, to procure the party nomination of good men, is for every self-respecting voter to refuse to vote for bad men.  In the medieval theology the devils feared nothing so much as the drop of holy water and the sign of the cross, by which they were exorcised.  The evil spirits of party fear nothing so much as bolting and scratching. In hoc signo vinces.  If a farmer would reap a good crop, he scratches the weeds out of his field.  If we would have good men upon the ticket, we must scratch bad men off.  If the scratching breaks down the party, let it break:  for the success of the party, by such means would break down the country.  The evil spirits must be taught by means that they can understand.  ‘Them fellers,’ said the captain of a canal-boat of his men, ’Them fellers never think you mean a thing until you kick ’em.  They feel that, and understand.’”

    GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS:  The Public Duty of Educated
    Men, 1877

9.  Describe the quality of the next extract.  What is its style?  Are repetitions allowable?  What then of variety?  Point out contrasts of words and phrases.

“What, then it is said, would you legislate in haste?  Would you legislate in times of great excitement concerning matters of such deep concern?  Yes, Sir, I would; and if any bad consequences should follow from the haste and excitement, let those be answerable who, when there was no need to haste, when there existed no excitement, refused to listen to any project of reform; nay, made it an argument against reform that the public mind was not excited....  I allow that hasty legislation is an evil.  But reformers are compelled to legislate fast, just because bigots will not legislate early.  Reformers are compelled to legislate in times of excitement, because bigots will not legislate in times of tranquillity.”

    THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY:  On the Reform Bill,
    1832

10.  Describe the diction of the next extract.  Describe the prevailing kind of sentences.  Do you approve of these in such an instance?  Explain your answer.  Does it remind you—­in tone—­of any other passage already quoted in this book?  What is your opinion of the style?

“There has been a change of government.  It began two years ago, when the House of Representatives became Democratic by a decisive majority.  It has now been completed.  The Senate about to assemble will also be Democratic.  The offices of President and Vice-President have been put into the hands of Democrats.  What does the change mean?  That is the question that is