The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-02-20
che Datlp &pp.
The EcLoGUEs AND GEoRGIcs OF VIRGIL With
English notes by Chasles Authon, Ii. d. New
ORCESTER
SATURDAY, FEBR U.aRY 20. Is47.

The ECLoGUEs And GEoRGICs VIRGIL. HSth
English notes by Charles Authcn, LII. ID. New
York-Harper & Brothers
DR.. Anthons numerous editions of the works of the
classic writers have not met with the general approba-
ton of our best scholars His scissors which do the
greater share of the work of preparing them al
ways used with discrimination; and though his mater
iaIs are taken om the best European commentators he
often overooks points Of importance, and, in drawing
from so many different sources is sometimes betrayed
into inconsistencies.
While, however, true scholars will always regret the
sloyenness to say the least Of Dr. Anlhon in his liter
AIRY abors cannot but think that he has been Of con-
siderable service the of classical learning in
this country. His commentaries, with all their faults,
have many excelIences and are undoubtedly the best
OF their kind IN the English language.
Where competent teachers can be Obtained it is GER
tany the wisest give the pupil the bare text of
classic author and leave him to master as many OF its
difficulties he can without assistance. After his own
mind has done all il can do he go his instructor,
and receive from him all the information which he could
not obtain himself. This is generally adopted at
our best places of instruction But there are few teach
ers competent 10 instruct pupil in this manner. Not
all OF colleges even show Becks at the head
Of the Latin departments and all of our preparao-
ny schools enjoy the services Of such scholars as the
principal Of the public Classical School in this town.
Even at the present day, of those who undertake
10 fit boys for College probably ignorant OF the exis-
tence of such commentators Heyne and Wagner and
totally unable 10 supply the information and assistance
which the young student needs. Again, many of our
most promising young men, who striving to procure
liberal education are obliged, BY their circumstances
to study without teachers.
To those students who have poor teachers or none a:
ALL land they many) we think the works OF DIR. An
thon are emnently useful Sold at prices which make
them accessible TO ALL they convey great deal of in
formation on historical, pathological, and grammatical
points, which cannot be readily obtained from any
other source We trust that they in the absence Of bet
ter works, have done much 10 excite in many student
lore of classical studies-that they have done some
thing to enable him to understand the construction of the
immortal works Of antiquity, and thus the better APP
precate their Notwithstanding to make him, as he
pores his Greek his Latin, catch the spirit of
the language,-trace its nice distinctions and beautiful
anaIogies-until it becomes 10 him living and not
dead, tongue.
The scholar can enjoy the annolaons Of leaned
menaors in Latin Of all other languages the best fitted
for ann Citations, from its conciseness and point The
young studen who is making himself scholar should
have his commentaries in his own tongue and 10 such
one, when he procure suitable teachers the
work named al the head Of this ARTICLE Ike the other
works of DR.. Anlhon, will be of great assistance.
We cannot refrain from expressing the wish that
Of our eminent classical scholars whose attachments
have done themselves and the country much honor,
would, while they justly reprehend the careless haste of
Dr. Anthem, initiate his industry, and give works
which could be greeed with unqualified praise. T.