Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-01-29
The Triumph Of PhiIoIogy-A fsuitiiorn nm
Many GoIorcd Nuitiiudc,

Philoogy, or the acquisition of languages is in
itself very harmless and amusing pursuit for
those who have time to spare, and not enough
OF brains to devote themselves with any prospect
OF success tn the creation of original ideas. But
the Importance luid upon n knowledge of the
d"nd nngua ,cs by all the European colleges,
and by too many of our own. is supremacy ride
ulous. II is u very true that an acquaintance
with tie work of Homer Pinto, Sophuces, and
Cicero may bo desirable; but have we not trans
Iations OF these in the English tongue, and might
1t not profit US somewhat more to hav" Shakes
pearc, Milton Locke. and Wcbsterl If n man
has but one idca though he may have half do
zen different tongues to express it in, he has but
one idea after all Elihu Burritt,for example. ''tho
learned black smith of Wore, ster, can converse
and write in half dozen different languages and
dialects; but he has never been suspected of any
lnordinate supply of brains and up to the PIE.
sent mumont-we are unacquainlcd with any
river that has been set on fire by his genius
Philologv pursued for its own sake is n rank
humbug and nothing else; but when mastery of
tongues is used. as Professor lIollaway has used
it for the dissemination of new ideas and truly
valuable discoveries among all tribes aud nation .
alltieS of men, recognise in it one of the no
hlest Instruments of civilization and are grateful
for the assistance it imparts.
Whether the long and laborious researches and
experiments which Holloway had to undergo be-
fore he succeeded in perecting his universal re-
medies, left him time for the personal acquisition
of all the languages now spoken upon earth. we
do not knew, and, were we speaking of an ordina.
ry man. should think they could not possibly:
but in our estimate of such character as his,
the common standard of intellectual measure
mcnt il as fault; and it seems not improbable that
the mind which obtained dominion over all forms
of human mnlady, could easily obtain the key to
every tongue.
Whether this ba SO, not. certain it il that
Holloway has established printed journals in all
the known languages of the world-inurnals spe-
cialy devoted to the furthernnce of medical truth
and a proclamation of tho saving principles en-
bodied in the Of the Universal Remedirs-
The philolog,t could desire no richer treat than
perusaI ri the many thousand files of papers.
all of them in different tongues, which eau be
seen in his establi >hment: and tho British Museum
endowed aS it has been both by the muniiicence
of individuals and bodies corporate; is Indebted to
no single individual more than il is t. Professor
Holloway,
II we needed grand interpreter Of humanity
an interpreter whose former deeds and character
would everywhere secure n favorable au Hence
for whatever new ideas he might choose 10 law
before the assembled congregation of mankindi ii
is to Holloway that we should Of necessity apply
He. indeedhas turned philoogy to GOO account.
and his reward i this.-that it enables him tn
understand the manifold and craseless songs Of
honedcton and gratitude which arise 10 him
from tia full heart of millions his Universal Re-
needles have rescued from the very jaws Of the
grave.
THIS indeed is the most pregnant triumph of
pmnlogy. and by far the most useful purpose
that the possession oil many tongues has hther.
to been applied To. All honor to Professor HoI-
lowNy, aud may he long continue to dispense hi,
Universal Remedies to the mnltiform and manv
c"Iored multitude who have been taught hycy-
p"r'ence Ia look up to him their medical re
decmer.-N L. Nat. Police Gazette.