Modern Eloquence: Vol II, After-Dinner Speeches E-O

A richly illustrated anthology, this volume gathers some of the most memorable after‑dinner orations delivered by leading American and British voices at the turn of the twentieth century. The book opens with a vivid color engraving of “Justice,” one of a series of eight allegorical panels that once adorned the Library of Congress, setting a tone of grandeur and public service. Readers will encounter speeches from statesmen, scholars, and literary figures—each selected by the speakers themselves as their finest work.

Among the pieces is George Cary Eggleston’s witty yet pointed address on “Southern Literature,” where he humorously declares the notion a myth while celebrating the region’s notable writers. The collection offers a window into the era’s debates on patriotism, moral virtue, and the power of the spoken word, all rendered in engaging prose that invites listeners to hear history’s own eloquence.