As we are influenced by our personal acquaintances so also are we influenced by our literary acquaintances, and the youth of today should be taught to appreciate all that is good and great in the literary world, for there is nothing so injurious to the mind as bad reading. How can we become acquainted and learn to appreciate the great poets, historians and orators of the Past, only through their literature. It is a narrow course that would discriminate between the eloquence and splendor of the literature of the past and that of the Present, and that would debar our youth from the legendary and mythical heroes of Greece and Rome. And now we will consider the practical benefits from their study. By translation we gain a correctness and beauty of diction, a grace in figures and a facility of expression.
Translation enlarges the mind and forms a taste.
Even those who intend to follow a business course in life, such as those who expect to make eloquence at the bar their profession ought not to confine themselves to that contentious style that breathes nothing but fear and debate. As fields delight in change of seed our minds require the exercise of different studies. The only way to develop ability with any degree of success is by constant intelligent discipline. We know that any weak muscle may be strengthened by proper exercise in the gymnasium. The brain is an organ capable of development and growth, just as much as any other organ, and must be treated in much the same manner.