THE RHETORICAL COMMENTARIES,

OR

THE ORATORICAL

INSTITUTIONS

OF GERARD JOHANNES VOSSIUS

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.

On the NATURE OF RHETORIC.

An ornamental woodcut drop cap 'C' shows a central scene with a figure and a structure, surrounded by detailed floral and scrollwork designs.
SINCE THE GOAL OF RHETORIC is persuasion; its Duty is to speak well, or to speak in a manner accommodated to persuading; its Subject Matter is any question, and especially a civil one: Rhetoric is rightly defined as the faculty of speaking well on every subject for the purpose of persuasion; or, as Aristotle defines it, the faculty of discerning in each case what is suitable for persuasion.

And just as there are four parts of the Orator's duty: to find arguments, to arrange what has been found, to adorn what has been arranged, and to deliver what has been adorned: so there are as many parts of Rhetoric: Invention, Arrangement, Style, and Delivery or Action.

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COMMENTARIES ON CHAPTER I.

SECTION I.

On the GOAL OF RHETORIC.

* Aristotle, in the Posterior Analytics.

* Aristotle, Book 7 of the Metaphysics, section 23.

JUST AS the subject is to the contemplative sciences, so the goal is to the active disciplines, as well as to the arts: because, as in the former it must first be seen for what thing the principles and properties are taught; so in the latter, before all things, it must be known for the sake of what the treatment is established. Therefore, since Rhetoric is a conjectural art original: στοχαστικὴ (stochastike). This refers to a "guessing" art, like medicine or navigation, where the practitioner aims for a goal but cannot guarantee the result every time., which to Aristotle is what the name "Faculty" signifies; it is not so much necessary that we search for some notable ornament original: antipagmentum. In architecture, this refers to a decorative door frame. Here, Vossius uses it to mean a fancy or external preface. for our Oratorical commentaries, as it is to show the genuine aim of the art in the very vestibule of the Faculty.