New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-21

supplied with books. The interior apartments we're
reserved for the wemoa VINO spuo, and read, and
gossiped. At supper, which wss the priocipal meal
of the day the guests i0provised verses listened
to choir of musicians, or diverted themselves with
the picturesque and graceful dances which the Ro-
mans had borrowed fIom tho Greeks.
The upper classes spoke and wrote almost exclu-
sivey in the Latin language, though not perhaps in
the pure Latpity of Cicero or Horace. The laws
were issued in Latin, thu magistrates interpreted
and applied them in Latin and all Official inter
course wss carried on in Latin. Every official, SO.
cOrdinely, learned the language Of Che court. aod
many of the people cultivated it, aud the literature
in which it was embodied. The priests performed
their worship, the professors taught their sciences
in Latin The studies of the cultivated classes CON
prised both Greek and Latin, the Greek philosophy,
as expounded by Roman writers, and the Roman
jurisprudence, grammar, rhetoric, and poetry. Ju.
risprudence, for which tue Roman mind had such a
rare aptitude, was studied BY the Gauls, and more
than one professor was celebrated for his knowledge
and skill. The brilliant and copious Gallo genu',
IOnONClt tuuCu hOtty W iuofoiO III" w
arts of elegant comp POSITION. Bat still all The intel-
lectual efforts of this period are stamped with the
unmistakable marks Of decay. The philosophers
were mere smattsrers in the remains of ancient
thought, and had no original impulse or creative
force. The gIammssians we're mostly psdans,
critics, annotatofs, and cOmpilers, far more arid
than o modern German professor, but with slight
portion OF bis leaning and industry. The atmos-
pbere of despotism was fatal TO genius; decrepit
and corrupt society retained relish for truth and
nobleness of thought; aud the general mind, with
out the excitement of hope, Lost oil motive for lofty
eDdeavOr.
We will not follow Mr.. Goodwin through his mas.
terly delineaon Of the fortunes Of Gaul after the
downfall Of the Roman empire, and the establish
ment Of the German rule over tue nations of Europe.
We have only to congratulate him on the brilliant
commencement of work. TO which he has devoted
the studies Of years. and which is evidently intended
as the browning labor of his life. The reputation
which be has honestly earned from the public, by
his various elegant aud substantial contributions to
the cause Of earnest thought and sound knowledge,
has here found monument worthy Of his genius
and culture His arts dc skill in the grouping Of
events and psrsonsges, Bis deep philosophical in-
sight, bis wide range Of learning, his power of PIC
t1eique illustration and his robust aud manly eo-
ouence, have all been summoned into genial exer.
cse in the composition Of ibis volume. Remarkable
alike for it's aflOent and appropriate erudltiOn for
ita comprehensive grasp of the principles of society,
for its keen and subtle analysis of character, for ts
penetration into the true spirit of the middle ages
for its elevated tone Of religious and humsUitary
sentiment, and for its muscular strength Of express
siOn il may justly claim an honorable place among
the great historical works which have so proudly
Ggnalized the present epoch and our own country.
MARSH ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
LECTURES ON TIE ENGLISH LANGUAGE By GKoRGE
Z. MAksR. $40. pp CO.. Charles Scribser.
In the opinion Of Or. Marsh, no wide range Of
study in comparative pbllOlOgy is essent to the AZ
tainment of good knowledge of the English LAD
euage. He has, accordingly treated the subject of
the present volume, without any formidable exhi-
Bit IN Of linguistic research, and given popul,r
bOueh truly scientific, illustration Of the principles
of English phlology, from considerations derived
from the structure and genius of the language itself
His dscus,ioDs are characterized throughout by
sound and ample learning, vglant common sense,
and mastery of his position which is evidently the
fruit of profound and comprehensive investigation.
In preparing the volume, he has had an eye not 30
much to the requirements Of protested students, as
TO the instruction and satisfaction of the general
mass Of intelligent readers. His book cannot fail
to prove an agreeable companion to all who have
taste for advancing beyond the merest surfaos Of
Inowledge and the attention which is demanded
for its perusal, will receive large reward in tbs
new conceptions which it imparts of the strength,
variety, and beauty Of our mother tongue.
The nuIaber Of English words, it is stated by Mr..
Marsh, that are not yet obsolete, but in approved
usage by correct writers and speakers, including
the nomenclature of science and the arts, does not
probably fall short of one hundred thousand. Few
persona however, use as many as ten thousand
words, aud the great majority Of well educated
speakers not above three or four thousand. Even
Milton and Shakespeare whose vocabulary il not
in richness aod variety, haOtusy employ
ed but email portion of the resources of the Ian
guage. In all the works of the great dramatist,
there occur not more than fifteen thousand words,
and in the poems of Milton there are not above
eight thousand. OF these, by far the larger pro-
portion is derived from the Anglo. Saxon the Latin
aud the French. Curious estimates have been given
by different philOogists of the relative amount of
the ,eveIal elements of English; but they are to be
taken with great allowance and limitations Sharon
Turner, for instance, gives extracts from fftesn
classical English authors, beginning with Shakes
pesre and ending with Johnson for the purpose of