New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-03

cate the means OF communicating knowledge These
three capital Deficiencies are, think, undOubed: and
what makes this painful 20 il, when thinks OF
the enormous quantity 81 things there are worth know
ing IN the world, eminently worth knowing Applause
! have spoken just now only Of modern history and
modern languages; but what are these compared with
the bOundless Held that opens before u.s. the new
world that chemistry is expanding before us, that old
world that geology has called into existence the wonder
ful generalization IN regard TO plants and animals aud
10 ali those noble studies specuatons which are the
glory and the distinctions and the ebood Of the tme
In which we live and which our youth remain almost
without exception in total ignoraDcei IL Is not
too much 10 say that at pTesem ne man rhO 10 really
Il tras sappOsed 20 hare elOstd-after all had been
done for him that the present misebly contracted and
poor system could do. lie has 10 begin TO educate hum
self over again. the feeling that he has wasted the
best and most precious years Of his life In things either
useless Improbable not unloyey In themselves but
which were the mere bypaths-the fringes and appen
dages OF the solid requirements that constitute the
tai stock Of gentleman well educated man. tCheers
Now them how is II that with such history Ours and
with such literature as Ours-Nith such literature
modern Europe spreads before uswe should turn aside
from this rich banquet and content ourselves with gnaw
ing at the dry and nody crust Of language and civil
TSe T @ @ i very easily accounted fcr
mainly the fault OF educational endowments when
the educauOnal endowments OF our great schools ana
unyerses-the greater mass OF themwerc made, there
really existed English literature. Modern history had
begun medieval history only TO be found in the
meager annals OF mOnkish chrOnice; physical science
had 10 existence at all and there was nothing to which to
direct the nd OF youth except the study OF Latm ana
Greek and rhetoric and The Arisotelan logic. There
thrope persons who founded those excellent institutions;
the blame lies with those who, after the immense
expansion or knowledge that mas taken place,
have not found the means 20 expand, IN similar
proportion, the objects 10 which these end0wments
may apply. Nor does any blame attach 10 Our UNIVERSE
ties considered strictly suchme0ning by University
institution for examining and testing the attainnens
Of its pups-bccause Universities do give exaInna-
tons and willing TO give examinations on any snD-
Jet In which pupils be found but the blame lies with
the Government Of the country. because these endOw-
ments, which exclusively given TO Latin, Greek,
and mathematics, really In my opinion public prop
ory and for the OF which the state as representing
the public is responsible. lCheors As long they an
swer the end that endOWmens should answer they
should be let alone. But when they do not II Is our
business 20 reform them lCheersJ What end do they
answerl They give an enormous D0nnty-an enormous
pTemum-to tho study OF the dead languages and The
pure mathematics Well the study Of the dead languages
and pure mathematics are noble aud valuable studies
and II that was all should not object but you know
that you cannot give premium 10 ore study without IN
some degree discouragng another And although theT
first effect Is 10 give premium 20 those STUDIES thelf cor
lateral and far more important effect IS 10 discourage
would say destroy all the other studies nave ennnc
ated aud which appear 10 80 Infinitely wei worthy o!
tho first place IN education. suppose young man Oh
talent j. In want OF mOneyas young men are apt 10 ne
aud wishes TO turn his talent 10 account Suppose no
deyOtcs himself To the physical sciences IN the
University OF oxford he may gam the nfht-cn-s III
physical science but what good Will that DO HIN Jh'e
h hardly endowment that II open TO hu; whereas
lie gave the trouble To latin am dreck he might
lie Fellow OF halfadOzon different Colleges. Hear
lcar If ~ be So how can you expect iAt,c STUDIES WI"
have iar nlav when thev sF@ hs"hiegped Ina mat mtn