The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-08-27
The Truth nr Phiioingr-


4 Nu2tif0Fm and May C0EOred lultitude.
PhilolOgy, or the acquisition OF languages,
IL in itself very Harmless and amusing pur-
suit for those who have time to spare, and
not enough of brains 20 devote themselves
with any prospect of success to the creation
of original ideas. But the Importance laid
upon "A knowledge of the dead languages by
all the European colleges, and by too many
of our own, is supremely ridiculous. lt is
very true that an acquaintance with the
works of Homer, Plato, Sophocles and Cicero
may be desirable; but have we not transla-
tons Of these in the English tongue, and
might it not profit us somewhat more to have
carefully rehearsed and studied the noble
teachings of Bacon, Shakespeare, Milton,
Locke and Webster If q man has but one
idea, though he may have half dozen diff
ferent tongues to express it, he has but one
idea after all. Elihu Burritt, for example,
s'the learned blacksmith of Worcester, can
converse and write in over half a hundred
different languages and dialects !, but he has
never been suspected of any inorlinate sup-
ply Of brains-and up to the present moment
we are unacqualnted with any river that
has been set on fire by his genius.
Philology pursued for its own sake, is q
rank humbug, and nothing else but when
q mastery of tongues is used, as Professor
Holloway has used it, for the dissemination
sof new ideas and truly valuable discoveries
among all tribes and nationalites of men,
we recognize in it one of the noblest instru-
ments Of civilization, and are grateful tor the
assistance it affords
Whether the long and laborious scientific
researches and experiments which Holloway
had to undergo before he succeeded in per-
fecting his universal remedies, left him time
for The personal acquisition of all the Ian
yuages now spoken upon earth, we do not
know, and were We speaking of an ordinary
man, should think they could not possibly
but in our estimate ofsuch character as his,
the common standard of intellectual meas
urement is at fault; and it seems not improb-
able that the mind which obtained dominion
over all forms Of human malady, could easily
obtain the key to every tongue.
neither this be so, or not, certain il Is
that Holloway has established printed jour
mails in all the known language, of the world
journals specially devoted To the further
ancc OF medical truth, aud q proclamation Of
the saving principles embodied In the use Oh
his Universal Remedies. The philoioglst
could desire no richer treat than a perusal OF
the many thousand flies o: papers. ali of them
in different tongues, which can be seen liz his
establishment; and the British Museum. en-
dowed as it has been both by the Tnunifcence
Of individuals bodies corporate, isindeb-
ted TO no single individual more than II i "a
Professor Holloway
If we needed a grand interpreter of human
ity, an interpreter whose former deeds and
general character would everyw here secure
favorable audience for whatever new idea.
he might choose to lay before the assembled
congregation of mankind, it is TO Holloway
that we should of necessity apply. lie, in
deed, mas turned philology to good account
and his reward is this-that il enables hin
20 understand the manifold and ceaseieS
songs of benediction and gratitude which
arise 20 him from the full hearts Of the mil
lions his Universal Remedies have rescued
from the very jaws Of the grave.
This indeed is the most pregnant triumph
Of philology, and by far the most useful pur
pose that the possession of many tongues ha
hitherto been applied 10. AL honor 70 Pro
lessor Holloway, and may be long confirm
20 dispense his Universal Remedies TO Tn
rnultiform and many colored multitude VIII
have been taught by experience to look up t
him as their medical redeemer.--B 7. Ma.
Folis Gasstts-