The Delaware herald., 1854-04-05
Greek and Latin Authors Compared

The following eloquent passage Is from Sir
Edward Dulwer Lytton's address before the As
SOC lated Societies of the Edinburgh Univer-
sity -
dignity and polish are the especial attr;-
buges ofLatin literature in the happicst age it
bcIrays the habitual influence ofan arstocracy,
wealthy, magnificent, and learned. To borrow
phrase from Persius-its words sweep along
as if clothed with the toga. Whether we take
the sonorous lines OF Virgil, or the swelling
periods of Cicero, the easier dignity Of Sallust,
or the patriciau simplicity of Cesar, we are sem
sible that we are with a race accustomed to
measured decorum, ma iestc selt-control, un-
talliliar to the more lively impulse OF small
Greek communities. There is a greater domar-
cation between the intellect of the writer and
the homely sense of the multitude. The Latin
writer's seek to link themselves to posterity
rather through succession Of select and well
bred admirers than by a cordial Identification
with the passions and interests of the proane
vulgar. Even Horace himself so brilliant and
easy, and so conscious of his moaamentuEq are
perCahius, affects dislain of popular applause,
and informs US with a kind of pride that his So
tires had no vogue in the haunts of the common
people. Every bold school boy takes at once
to Homer, but it is only the experienced man
Of the world who discovers all the delicate wit,
and the exquisite urbanity Of sentiment, that
win our affection TO Horace in proportion IS VIC
advance in life In short. the Greek writer's
warm and elevate cur emotions as ncn-the La
( tin writer's temper emotions TO the stately re-
serve Of high born gentlemen. The Greek fire
bus more to the inspirations of poetry, or (as in
Plato ;nl parts OF Dcmosthoncs) to that sub
liner prose 10 which poetry is AKIN, but the Lat
in writers are perhaps on the whole, though |
saw il with hesitation, safer models fer that &C
curate construction and decorous elegance by
which classical prose divides itself from the
: forms diverse. Nor is this elegance eiteminate.
burt or the contrary, nervous and robust, though
like the statue ofArollo, the strength OF the
muscle is concealed by the undulation of the
curves. (Applause.) But there is thus, as gen.
cral result from the study of ancient letters
whether Greek or Roman. Both are the htera-
ture of grand races, of free men and brave
! hearts Both abound in generous thoughts and
high examples; both, whatever their OCCASION
aliicense, inculcate upon the whole, the habitua
; practice of many virtues; both glow with The
! love of country; both are animated by the de-
. sire of fame and honor. Therefore, whatever
! be our future profession and pursuit, however
they NAV take us from the scholastic closet
and forbid any frcquents return to the. classi'
/, studies ofour youth, still he whose early step
: have been led into the land of demi-gods an
I herscg, will find that its very air asenricie
} through life the blood of his thoughts, that h
e Quits the soil with front which the Greek ha
directed towards stars and a step which impe
d rial Rome has disciplined to the march that
: ried her eagles round the world" cloud ap
y plause.)