Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-13
LOCAL SUMMARY
An Interesting Debate.

place, ureW together large audience OF ladies' ana
gentlemen at the comfortable Rooms Of the ASCOT
| alton.
The subjcct-"0ught the classics to be embraced
in a course of female educationv-is one of great
practical Importance aud worthy of the strict atten-
ton which its elaborate and very thorough discus
sion elected.
The affirmative views of the question were pre-
sented, in the opening, By Capt WM H. Morrow
in effective effort in which he indicated the value
of the study of the classics not only as means Of
disciplining the mind and enriching it with the ma
terial of thought but as the surest and best mode
of elevatng the taste and refining the sensibilites
The models of style which they furnish, after the
experience ofthe ages which have elapsed since they
were given to the world, are still adopted--a test-
monia to their perfection rarely given to anything
of merely human origin. TRANSACTIONS which have
been urged as having superseded the necessity of
study OF the originals, whilst they may be valuable
as conveying to US the mere dry facts of history,
can give not the least conception nor the fantest
idea Of the beauties force Of original works of
taste. These cannot be transfused from one Ian
guage into another. They are casts in plaster Of
Paris, of the Apollo or Venus. It's said that De-
mOsthenes copied six times with his own hands the
history of Thucydides that he might catch the spi
rtand become imbued with the excellcncies of that
writer's modes of expression. Upon that model did
he successfully form of matchess eloquence
And yet who would ever dream of ever approach
ing the power of Demosthenes by rewriting a
thousand times over the very excellent and spirited
-tatio IF not h. .b. noa Of
Ifthis be true ofprose writers how infinitely tame,
stale and improbable must be the results of all at
tcmpts to convey to faint semblance fthe works
of their poets and orators?
Capt. VI. then. at length proceeded to shew the
necessity of study of the classics as the best me-
thod of acquiring an accurate and exact knowledge
ofour own tongue. Its greatest wealth is derived
Immediately from them. So much is this the case,
that it is difficult, if not impossible to comprehend
the productions of the best esteemed English au-
thors, without an acquaintance with the works OF
the sages philosophers, orators and poets of anti
guilty in their originals. A mastery of the theory,
power and Structure oflanguage cannot be attained
without this knowledge.
Whilst there was good deal of bluntness and
somewhat of vanity, perhaps, in the declaration Of
DR.. Johnson to an illterate opponent that no man
should argue at all who does not understand Greek,
the observation was not without much ofthat sound
judgment and saving common sense that always
characterized the opinions of the King Of Grub
Street. The very weapons and rules Of argument
themselves are, in the main If not altogether (such
at least as are Of any vaue derived from the Greek
logicians.
But we cannot pursue the line of discussion on
the part of Capt. NJ. any further. He very grace
fully and successfully applied these remarks in favor
of a study of the classics generally TO course OF
female education. These studies have tendency
to elevate and enlarge the capacities of the minds
Of men. Why should they not produce the same
effect on the mind ofwoman? And if so why should
they be withheld? Woman was designed By her
Maker to become the helpmate and companion of
man. But to make fellowship either agreeable or
even tolerable it must be based upon terms of equal
ity conditions which cannot be complied with
where high state of culture and Intellectual adj
vancement is to be found on the one side and ignO
rance on the other. The nearer the mental cquali-
ty which the sexes approach the more enjoyable
and profitable their intercourse.
The negative Of the question was supported with
great adroitness and much forcibe augmentation
by Henry Hunter and " S. White, Esqs.: who
thought that the proper sphere of woman was to be
found in the discharge of the domestic duties and
in that inner circle of lome-lfc which neither re-
quires or iustiies any large amount of intellectual
training. Whilst sensible of the invaluable aid
which it is in the power, and hers alone to render
man, by tightening his burdens, curbing bis pas
sions restraining his excuses, elevating and puri-
fying his sensibties and emotions and giving pro
per direction and aim to the purposes of his life,
vet they thought these, the objects of her great
mission in the world might be accomplished as we'll
without, as with. the high literary attachments and
stern labors of the scholar.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Whites very admirable
and practical address, Mr.. Hunter arose and said
that when he entered the Rooms Of the Association
he did so with the impression that he had been Sc
lected to advocate the claims of the classics TO a
share in course Of female education but as it
seemed that he had been misinforined and had been
assigned to an opposite position having discharged
his duty to the Committee, he now begged leave 70
give expression to the views and opinions which he
had seriously formed from his Distributions on the
subject.
Mr.. H. then proceeded deliberately and eloquent
" to urge the importance ofembracng the classics
in course of female education. He thought them
indispensable to a complete formation and proper
development of the character ofwoman-that won
derful admixture of beauty, grace and strength
We regret that we have not the space to present a
more extended report of his effort which was re-
ceived with so much satisfaction and applause by
the audience.
We cannot conclude this imperfect sketch Of the
proceedings of the occasion without advising all
who may be DESTROYS land who is not p depending
an evening. most agreeably and proftably, not to
ferego the opportunity which is afforded, without
expense, to the public at large, Of attending the
meetings of the Christian Associations Lyceum.
Installation.
On Sabbath last, by appointment Of the Presby-
terry, the Rev. A. C. HOPKINS was installed Pastor