This particular passage, HT: Vox, excerpted from Lord of the Rings (Two Towers), describes Sarumon:
"Suddenly another voice spoke, low and melodious, its very sound an enchantment. Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they remembered only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves. When others spoke they seemed harsh and uncouth by contrast, and if they gainsaid the voice, anger was kindled in the hearts of those under the spell. For some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when it spoke to another they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler's trick while others gape at it. For many the sound of the voice alone was enough to hold them enthralled; but for those whom it conquered the spell endured when they were far away, and ever they heard that soft voice whispering and urging them. But none were unmoved; none rejected its pleas and its commands without an effort of mind and will, so long as its master had control of it." (The Two Towers, Ch. 10)
Thus Tolkien.
You can find near-identical language in Robert Hugh Benson's novel Lord of the World, describing the effect of "Felsenburgh's" speeches. Felsenburgh was an American who was elected "President" of the entire West. His biography is virtually unknown at the time of his election; all that is certain is that he is a Mason.
Tolkien lived far longer than did Benson; it is likely that JRR had read Benson's novel and that it is NOT co-incidence that he used the same language, thus deliberately comparing Sarumon and "Felsenburgh."
Hmmmmmmm.
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