Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-14

freshman year are required, after that thev
are optional, so that the modern utiltarianr
is not obliged to cram down useless con.
glomeraton Of Latin and Greek" unless he
preicrs 10 do so" Careful attention is paid
to philosophy, the sciences and modern lang.
uages, French, Italian, Spanish, German
and modern Greek,) and even many of these
branches are electives, thus giving the student
chance to choose what he may think will
prove the most useful to him in the end.
Is not this regulation of the Faculty Of
Harvard worthy Of commendation2 is il
not worthy Of the enlightenment Of the nine
tcenth century Would that the system
might be universally adopted in all Of our
istcr institutions Of learning. In past years
gentlemen went to college and were compelled
TO study what to them seemed distasteful and
productive Of. no good. Their performances
in many cases were monotonous " dead, b" and
too often they went to recitation.
With sleepy eyes and countenance heavy
With much excuse Of non parapi,'
simply because they despised, and in fact
We're wholly incapable of pursuing branches
which were imposed upon them. How often
this is true in case of mathematics From
time immemorial this branch of the sciences,
and instructors as well, have been sighted
andabborred by the majorityof students. And
why Is it 80 Because it is dry uninterest-
ing and unintolligible, hard aud difficult to
pursuo2 | know of no other reason. The
uiiiiarians may argue that it is useful and
applicable to the acts of life. Very well.-
But this assertion must be limited. Latin
and Greek, say they are useless to the COM
mercial man and the artisan The time spent
iu their acquisition is like sowing seed broad
east on the sandy desert But mathematics
are used in every day life, by all classes, more
or less | say that Latin or Greek may not
be useful to every employment; it may not
bring gold and silver into the merchants till,
nor assist the workshop of the artisan; but
it is Of great assistance to professional man,
and more than that, many find pleasure in
their acquisition real pleasure--such Joy as
only the scholar can feel. And to the whole
sale condemnation of these dead languages
which has lately appeared we reply, look
/ before you leap" BE sure that you find no
benefit to be obtained from them, if not for
yourselves for others, before you slur them
and pronounce their study worthless. You
say, do something useful, of some worth,
and not spend your time in idleness," for
such you term the pursuit of the languages
of Rome and Athens. We know what we
do" if it shall have resulted in no ultimate
good for us, if the time spent in their pursuit
shall have been wasted in pecuniarg point
of view, then we can look back and say that
Caesar, Cicero and Virgil Xenophon, Homer
and Demosthcles, have been to us source Of
happy enjoyment and intellectual improve
ment"
At last, after an interregnum of six months,
the oyersoers have decided to nominate Pro-
fessor Charles Eliot, of the Institute of Tech
nology, Boston, for the office of President
The question-always an important one-is
rendered doubly so at the present, by the
fact that 1t is virtually decision between
classical and utilitarian education. Mr.. Eliot
is in the prime of life, graduate of the col
lege, and man Of recognized merit, and one
who, it is thought, will bring the Reform
question to the best settlement.
| am sorry to say, however, that there is
a feeling Of enmity between several Of the
Faculty and the nominee, arising from a
sharp discussion which has been lately going
on among them and there is a rumor to the
effect that Professors Agassiz, Peirce and
Gibbe will resign Immediately upon his cleo
ton. We must only hope a better turn to
affairs, and that all feelings of hatred may be
abolished, for not untn then will the college
ship sail on her prosperous voyage