This influential treatise on rhetoric and public speaking was first delivered as a series of lectures at Gresham College in the early 17th century. Ward draws on classical and contemporary theories of rhetoric to offer a comprehensive guide to the art of persuasion. He covers a wide range of topics, including the nature of eloquence, the virtues of the orator, the principles of argumentation, and the rules of delivery. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of rhetoric or the art of public speaking, and remains a classic of English prose. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.