Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-05-07

with purity and elegance, for a greater por-
ton OF time than any other ever known in the
world. As,early - the ttmeof Homer, its
standard was fixed; and it continued TO he
cultivated till Cons,autinople was taken by the
Turks In the nfteehtll century. A short time
before that event. il was spoken with such
correctness and elegance by persons OF liberal
and high condition. as to give no very imperfect
specimen of the style OF the poets ana histori-
aus, who fQurished in the purest times"
What Mr.. Ket remarks of the Latin
language, is still more appropriate TO the
| subject IN hand.
1.-The utility of an acquaintance with this
language, (says be- will become more immedi-
ateIy apparent, ~ we consider how much our
own is Indebted to II tor many of tue terms OF
art aud science. a nd for most part of our poly
syllables. without the aid indeed of the
words which II SUPPLIES il is not only difficult
to understand our older authors but TO write
or speak even sehieuce ot elegant Enghsh :;
so that when scholar rs engaged III stud wing
Latin. he is in fact making himself more per.
iect master CT hiS orn language. II is equally
usetul, n he wishes TO acquire the Frsnch the
Ituiiun, and the Siaash, as il constitutes 50 ma
terial part OF those elegant tongues"
After evidence so clear and positive, of
the importance, If not indeed the neces-
siiy, OF acquiring ii knowledge of the
learned languages as the basis of liberal
education, no person properly qualified
10 estimate theirvalue, will refuse his as
sent TO the obvious advantage of intro
duclng the ancieit classics as a part of fe-
male literary Improvement. The fact is,
that for the purposes OF socia intercourse
with literary aud enlightened persons.
and the salisiaciions of mutual enioy-
ment in refined conversation, the light
of mind infused by classical studies, is
absolutely necessary. And whatever NAV
be the talents aud attainmenis of ladies
III other respects, they are i'll no better
situation when they come in contact with
classical scholars, than unframed militia
opposed TO regularly disciplined troops. -
Fortunately for Them no person is dis
posed to criticise, or take notice oi-thelr
literary d, ficiencies. On the contrary,
all carefully avoid such topics in their
company, as might involve discussions
TO winch they are incompetenl-snd by
the and OF this generous, or rather iusl
sympathy, their defects are compleiei,
concealed, even from themselves.
Were tue present generation, only, con
cerned In this matter, IL would bescarce-
iy worth while 10 attempt any innovation
on The established order Tor disorder) al
things. But when we consider inal our
.''N Oot y CUilUTfI. ana
our.posterily 10 the latest scenes OF lime,
are Interested IN the question and thai
the character and perhaps the welfare,
lheitDertles of our country, may be AZ.
fecied by IT, ii becomes an object of the
most serious and extensive importance 10
make right decision. Were all The mo.
| theirs OF the state, at This day, classIcally
educated and literally enlightened, VIZ
| sinla, now WaSte Of inefiect. would IN "A
lew years, become a garden If mind. An
enlightened mother never neglecIs the
education other children; she possesses
superior opportunities for inspiring them
win an early taste for literature, aud she
never fails To improve these advantages
Tor the benefit of her offspring. The
beauty OF her daughters. the bravery OF
| her sons, seem 10 rncrease, aud 10 gam
new lustre from the talents and graces OF
| cultivated minds.
Observations on this subject migb, be
multiplied, but enough has been said Ii
remains for the ladies and gcnliemoH OF
Richmond 10 patronize aud perfect t.iis
new germ OF improvement and 10 BAD n
here tirst take root, and de,elope Tor III,
benefit of their children, lis flowers and
lis fruit. PHILIP SIDNEY.