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The History of Language, in as much as it developes the efforts of the human genius and the rise and advancement of its inventions, constitutes an important part of the history of man. In order that we may have a correct knowledge of the one, we must become acquainted with the other: How are we to become acquainted with either, unless it be through the means afforded by the study of the ancient languages.
The questions then arise: are the ancient languages worthy of the attention they
receive in our modern Colleges and will the Student ever be compensated for the
time bestowed upon them. These are simple yet important questions. Since they so
vitally affect the cause of Education, the most important of all other subjects
to the American youth, and one in which the fate of the
I hope to be able to prove that the student will not only be fully compensated
for the time spent in studying these languages
It is here that we find the most perfect models of history, poetry and eloquence
and they can be consulted only by the classical Scholar, for who will say that
any translations are correct, that they preserve the beauty as well the purity
of its author, that the niceties of style are preserved, and that we can express
so vividly by whole lines what the original author did by single words. Besides
as long as any one confines his studies solely to his native tongue he cannot
understand it perfectly or ascertain
It is true that the walls of
Let us now consider some of the many objections which have been urged against the study of these languages. It has been said that they are retained in our present course of instruction, not that they are worthy of the attention they received but because the world is such a slave to old ideas, that she will not permit the advocates of a reformation in our course of instruction, to substitute other studies their stead. Such has ever been the cry of innovators, when they fail in their plans, but if they cannot convince mankind of the propriety of their suggestions, after stating the benefits to be derived from them, we are compelled to conclude that their is either faulty or that they are unable to place it in its true light before the people.
And in the case before us we see that their plan has been tried and it has most
signally failed, for the modern languages in connection
But it has been said that the study of these languages, narrows and contracts the
mind, renders it incapable of great efforts and great ideas and incapacitates it
for enlarged views. An argument more remarkable for its originality than for any
serious objections against the study of these languages, for the Modern
Languages are immediately substituted by the Gentleman as infallible remedies
for these defects, yet we know that they are only a corruption of these
languages and require much less exertion on the students part
But it has been urged against the study of these languages, that those who spoke
them were heathens, men ignorant of
But have we not atheists in our own language. Men born in a country blessed with
the light of the Christian religion, who deny the existence of
But the cry is "we want practicable men and Education and that the
advantages derived from the study of these languages, are, comparatively
speaking, of no value. but is it worth nothing to be a highly accomplished and
refined scholar. if it is 'tis (and I presume that none will deny) so much is it
worth to know the classics for by learning these, we most effectually master our
own. Besides the stability of our
But it has been seriously urged to day against the studies of these Languages that
we consult other authorities, such as our Lexicons and Grammars. but this
argument (if one which I most seriously doubt)
After having carefully stated and fairly considered the merits and demerits of this question. We must conclude that the study of the classics accomplishes everything claimed for them and that the objections which have been urged are of no importance whatever, for the gentlemen are unabled to substitute any studies as equivalents and which are equivalents.
While by the study of the classics we know that the Judgement is exercised the
taste is refined, the mind is strenghten and trained to habits of accuracy and