Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-07-26
tCoMMuNIcAfEp:


Language being the leading instru-
ment by which men communicate their
thoughts to one another, it is to it that
we undoubtedly owe the most important
improvements of which our intellectual
character is susceptible. The cultiva-
tors Of this science are divided into
parties, which seem so distant from one
another, that the philosophical analysis
may be considered as still in its infancy.
have long desired to see a system,
introduced that would arouse ALL, to a
deliberate consideration and investiga-
tion of this interesting branch of study 3
by exhibiting explanations which will
show to partial systems several of their
leading defects, and rec oncilc variety
of disputes without compromising the
the spirit Of investigation. Different
circumstances concur to impress the
philosophical inquirer with an idea, that
the communication Of our thoughts is
the object Of Language. We feel u
pleasure in calling the attention of our
citizens, to DIR. Cleaveland's Lectures,
believing that they are such as will re-
commend themselves. AS they are
freely open for all to investigate, go and
Judge for yourselves. This we know,
that the English Language of which he
treats, deserves the most attentive study
of the citizens of this country. We
see many of our Youth continually
focking to Schools and Colleges to get
a smattering Of the dead and some Of
tho living ioreign Languages, of COM
paratively little importance, either to
themselves or to their country but they
will come away from these halls oflearn-
ing often very great Ounces in that Ian
guage which concerns them most to
know-their native idiom. This as a
general practice is glaring fault, both
in this country and in England. Too
much attention has been paid to the
dead Languages. Had we cultiyated
our native tongue more, and obsolete
ones less, our language might have
acquired that perfection which is so
much desired. In striving to initiate
the Greeks, we have overlooked fun
damental principle which guided them
in thirst for excellence i'm the use Of
language, viz. critical and perfect
acquaintance with their own native
Tongue, above all others. Ii others
were acquired, they were merely as
handmaids the great study of the
learned and wise, was the beauty and
perspicuity OF their own native Ian
guage.
THIS should be the study Of those who
speak the English tongue every word IN
the language should be Investigated with pa
tient thought tho strus4ure of sentences
should be critically and piosopLically exam
ined. Our youth, instead of spending years
sleeping over their Greek and Latin gram
mars, or reading dull prosirg essays about
events so ancient that the zcst which once
gave them a transient interest has MoULDEDl
with the remains Of thoscswho were then on
the Stage Of existence, should study hiring
languages and living events It's the present
wbicl. more Immediately demands our attcn
tion; the mighty revolution which is going
on in the world affords the most ample as
well as the most useful field, for the learned,
and with this strong and tangible view our
youth should be impressed; and armed with
the most perfect knowledge Of the language
which Nature gave them they should Il arm
what the world Is rather than what il icas.
We nho" SouiC Soy thdt W pIopCt
derstanding of our own, we should begin
with the primitive languages, as ours is de.
rivative. So was the Greek language q de.
rivative, and every other language according
tn the Bible, since the confusion at the tower
Of Babel. But did the Greeks seek such
means to become acquainted with theirs p
No-they scorned all other languages as
barbaris,ns, and labored only TO improve their
own. Our youth become too enerva,ed for
most useful purposes, and their minds impair
ed during their tedious pilgrimage through
the desert of'the dead. Their strength is spent
in the long and Iaborious study Of oblivion :
when their minds have acquired The past, they
have lost all vigor for The present. Their
habit becomes so formed that in manhood,
they follow the path of their youth and here
we see the truth of the line from the poet:
"Just as the twig is bent, the trees inclined"
Peering through the dark vista of the past,
they turn their backs to the gorgeous pres
ent they come into society, shorn Of strength
nnd little calculated for that success in the
knowledge and use ofour language, 90 me-
cessary to mike us nation distinguished in
letters.
Viewing the lectures of Dr.. Cleaveland as
designed to create greater interest in our
language, and give familiar and scientific
acquaintance with it, we wish him all sue
cess. a FRIEND TO LrTERAruRE.