Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-05-01

ed in two In proof OF this, we have their SIM
ME ipss DIRT and that, emana''ng from lnfai'
iibility, is, of course, in the place OF all arga'
men,. Now, OF this superficial mode oil teach
ing 10 use the midest epithet the language
affords)I cannot be other than decided oPPo'
nent believing, as do most firmly, that II Is,
at best, fitted merely 10 make literary cox
combs, Than whom a more contemplate race
of beings does no, tread the earth or breathe
the air. do no, feel disposed 10 deny 'ha', o"
this plau. the labor Of learning would be mate
rally diminished; but then ii the toll wou.o oe
less severe, the reward would be less GLORIOUS
VIVA, is learned in play, will be forgotten IKE
play. Besides, nearly all the solid advantages
TO be derived from The learning of language,
are los, to one who adopts this mode OF dong
il. II becomes little else than mere mocha
meal exercise ofthe memory, which might pro-
bly be infinitely more improved by good mas
ter OF mnemonlcs.
In opposition TO this, maintain and hope 10
be able TO prove, ,ha, the study OF The dead
languages, when they are properly taught, con
s,i,u,es the most valuable part oil liberal Ed
ucation. So far from improving the memory
only, it fu finishes at the same time health!u! and
vigorous exercise to various other powers OF
the mind; those, 10 wi, of attention, discrlml>
nation, and Judgment. The boy who sits down
10 Homer or Virgil, Thucydides or Tacrus,
with his grammar and vocabulary for conpan-
ions. and who is taught TO use them as they
should be used, although scarcely aware OF IL
himself, will be continually Analysing, compar-
ing and reasoning Where the translation is
ready made 10 his hands, there is OF course an
end 10 all exercise Of his own Judgment In the
choice Of words; but here bis mind is kept con-
stan,lv active, being employed in analyzing the
meanings Of different words, in discriminating
between them, and in selecting and arranging
expressions best adopted 10 uansiuse the
thoughts and spirit Of his author into his YER
nacular language. He will find too, that while
thus employed, he is engaged in something
vastly difft,ent from mere play; something that
requires severe and toisome application. In
the acquisiiio ion of language in this way, there
is lahour enough TO give tension 10 all the en-
ereies of the mos, gifted intellect. And this the
learner should be appraised of and taught to feel
from the very outset. Before he commences
his Journey, he SHOULD be informed OF the aspe,
rifles he will have to meet and surmount IN !he
ascent Of Parnassus. But then he should Dr.
encouraged by lis teacher; not with the hope
only but with the assurance, tina, every step ne
advances in his course will render the ncX sttp
more easy, and that thorough conquest over
every present Oh fficuly,i Is more than hall con-
qu-s, over every subsequent, difficulty that may
offer to oppose him. In the prosecution vi his
object, he should be taught TO combine the
glowing artour Of Achilles wi The steady per-
severance oil Qlssses: e. assured tia! by-so doing
obstacle rha, lies in his way, and to stand upon
those commanding & glorious heights to!which
LEARNING conducts her voVaries, where he may
gather the fruits and flowers thai cluster and
bloom along their summis.
Having thus pointed out the difference be-
tween the old and new modes of teaching he
languages, and adverled, in general terms, 10
the superiority Of The former over the latter, |
shall now proceed TO state lille more me-
lhoGically, but with much brevity as the ma
ture Of the subject will admit, some Of me ad-
van,ages, as it regards mental discipline, result,
ing from the old system of stud ing, which cam
not, in any comparable degree a. leas', he CLAIM.
ed for the new, by the most enthusiastic and
camorous Of lis advocates:
| II strengthens the po,cer Of attenton.-Dr.
REID has somewhere observed hat If there be
any thing which deserves the name of Genius,
il is the power Of fixing the mental eye, sleadi
ly and exclusively, on single subject, till ii
has been viewed in all its lights and bearings.
This command over the attention, however, Is
not the growth OF a day or year; II can be
acquired only BY long, severe, and unremitted
application. How much closeness of aPplica-
ton, and consequently Of s,tention, is requisite
in the acquisition o. language according 10
the Old system Of studying, will appear from
simple analysis OF the mode in winch each let
ter is learned The boy is supposed, be il re-
me m ered, to have a sufficient knowledge of
the de lension Of nouns adIec,i,es, and pro-.
nouns, and of the conf cation of verbs; To br
able to run Them Though heir several va,ia
lions of cases, comparisons, voices, moods,
lenses, &c. In all instances where this is no
the case, he should be required 10 compare The
words that he meets with in the portion assigned
for the exercise. with words which correspond
to them in he grammar, and to run them over
in his mind ill he shall have become complete
master OF them. With his grammar and dicrion
airy BY his side, his councillors in oil cases of
difficulty he sits down fresh 10 his task; il may
be an ode in Horace or Anacreon, or chap'er in
Li,y or Herodotus. He begins by casting his
eye over the first sentence, and marking the
words which he has never seen before, aud
those also Of which he has forgotten the me an