Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-06-17
.oRIGINAL p APgR,S
For ths.Spirit If the Age.
Classical Literatpre.

ClaSSlcdA LlJeraOUfe.
The wandering traveller, as he views the
ruins of ancient Greece and Rome, drops a
tear in sad remembrance of the former
greatness Of tn 4e renowned nations, where
literature aud the arts hourishad in the
pa'my days Of their glory. He is struck
with che mingled aspect Of lovelinoss aud
d9sOlation which surrounds him, aud he
fe.ls like Comparing them, as did Byron,
when visiting tha CLASSIC shores pf Greece,
in 1910, to a human form from which life
had just depart d
Before decays effacing fingers,
Have swept the lines where beauty fingers"
and then with him to exclaim-
Sad is the aspect of this shore,
'Tis Greece. but living Greece more"
Among the Greeks, we find Aristotle,
Plato, Demosthenes, Thucydides, &c.-I
While engaged in perusing the productions
Of Demosthenes, we imagine ourselves scat
cd in the Senate Hall, listening to tha
laundering oratory of the eloquent Athe-
nian, as his burning words fall from his
lips, and we hear his enraptured, brave
countrymen as they exclaim-" Lead US
against Philip"
Cicero, Virgil Livy, Salust, Caesar and
others, are among the classic scholars Of
Ancient Rome, who illuminated her with
their literature and eloquence Cicero
melted the hearts Of his audience with his
silvery tones, and caused tyrants to tremble
at their fate Virgil strung his Tyre.
struck to notes harmonious with the hu-
lasting good upon his country, and sung
himself immortal.
Numerous volumes have been written,
both for and against the study of the An
cient Languages but it is evident that
every attempt to imp de the progress of
this study, has but given it new impetus.
The '"'r~-'se", AM -tilitv of, 2 Classical
Education is almost universally admltted.
The study of the CLASSICS strengthens the
intellect, invigorates thief aculties with new
energies, and gives a power over language,
never to be welded by one not con-
versant with them The student acquires
by the study Of Classical Literature, the
practice of acting and Judging accurately
The minds eve is required to scan every
word-every letter of a word its termina
tion and root, determine Its. conJugatlon ol
declension, its government, concord anc
position, as soen as it is presented This
undoubtedly requires close investigation
and ouick perception. In this manner
the mind is led to the fountain of our owl
language. aud then il is capable Of form
ing correct judgments of its vernacula
tongue. The study of the Ancient Ian
guages should not, by any means, super
eede, as in many Of our Colleges, our own
hut il should be thorough enough to al
MS in more fully comprehending our ow
language We should not be satisfied
skim along upon the surface Of EugIiH
literature, for the pearls lie embedded
the deep; and If we would get them, W
must dive down into the depths below, an
brms up the precious gems. Now, III o
der to undersraud aud become masters
the Englst language w must undcrstan
the Ancirnt torgucs ST. aN to derive ours
for Its purify of mcaniug is cn,Rcddc
therein. Iheu The study of the Clls,i
is not only beneficial. but absolutely "ece
sary TO ihose who would aspire to ell.
ncnce
The Ancient Artist seems TO have kcI
In mind the fact, that Mature ls the Arch
type of all true, genuine suUlmity al
consequently, we see traces OF the Dlvl
workmanship displayed in all his haul
works. He copied from the Book uf n
ture. Hence we End such unsurpassat
beauties, such skillfully executed spec
mems of paintings among the "old master
The Modern Artist who understands t
Ancient Literature, converses with his a
cient Prototypes he studies under the'
and has only to commence where his m'
ter stopped his work, and carry his art
perfection.
The pleasures aud advantages of Oh
sical education can only be appreciated
those who have drank of the sweets
Classic lore. They commune with the
lu-trious sages Of ancient days, and gatl
inspiration aud wisdom from the record
their mighty intelIects.
Since, then, there is so much beauty
Classical Literature, and it is the or
means TO train the mind, the study o
should be encouraged. There are numer
facilities for acquiring Classical edr
tion in almost every State in the Uni
and North Carolina can boast OF her +
catio al advantages. Where ignora
and superstition once prevailed, we
find some fourishiug Literary Institut
erected for the cultivation of the INTEL
Here are we'll endowed Colleges, furnis
with every Apparatus necessary to ell
date the study Of the student, and i'm
thorough Education
ALPHA
York Collegiate Institute, N. G.