New-York tribune., 1869-06-16

as training the intellect Unquestonaby the exer
else OF the faculties OF the mind serves 70 develop te
faculties exercised yet II this were the object 10 be
attained Hebrew Chinese, would be preferable 10
Latin hut SCIENCE develops the faculties and far
more efficiently The facts Of science TO be stored up in
the mind infinite in number and magnitude, that
no man however gifted could ever hope TO master them
all though he were to live thousand Years But their
rangement in scientific order not only ueneiop pps
the memory method infinitely more ,,naiIv nsgIg
and powerful than the study OF any language ~ tben
this the advocates OF such studies are H reef
announcement must suffice to bansh Laun Iayer a es
from all schools supported by taxation lo nossiIe
ssntia it may be 10 provide the means OF ne Deoy
instruction, II is as absolutely OuI "a ~ ne nubIic
Trustees Of Public Moneys TO provide az sne % and
pense, mere ,Lrry as on TINS ny y tbs nnLc with
Greek must be, as 1t would De " and develop
I a ana ias,o SCIENCE the true curriculum
He who is ignorant OF anatolh1 i1GadSe ~ nntcs ~
botany and of natural history are necessary equally 70
the artist and the connolsseuIr ho NJ pst saws
SV Sencer can produce heathfnl WORK OF Whatever
kind without he understa1tusS t S o pdepstand how the
jnds of the spectator or listener VIII be aHected Dy MS
Inln Sa o. Gnesilon of psychology" The spectator or
mist equally be acquainted with the laws OF such
phenomena he fails to attain TO the ghest appecla
now come 70 the last and most aspect Of this
question and fearessy assert that classical studies
have a most pericOus influence upon the morals ana
IL should not be forgotten that Greeks and Romans
alike lived by Slavery (Which is rob6eIyl by Tape anu
nv nlunder vet We born into Christian community
which lives by honest labor propose TO mpegnaie lne
mpressionabe minds Of youth with the morals ana tea
This letter has already extended to so great length
that am compelled TO abstain from making extracts
from the works of the greatest thinkers which had de-
sired; and now but cite them III support oIc vi
President Barnard of Columbia College, who with rare
honesty and boldnes has spoken loudly against tne con
yeptona folly OF classical studies; Professor Newman
himself Professor Of Latin at the University OF London
England; Professors Tindall. HENRY, Huxley FOrDes
Paiet Whewel, Faraday, Liebig Draper, De Morgan,
IlHdley YOumans, Drs. HOdRson, Carpenter, HOOKER
Acland Sir John Herschel, Sir Charles Lye Dr. segnn
fIn na1li in o1lI
at and Herbert Spencer To modified extent the name
of Mr. John Stuart MIL may be quoted-ior ne 3Ey i9uHy
advocates science for alscence, which is unaNOdapy
excluded by the introduction Of or at least the prom
ence given to- Latin and Greekln our Solege Mr. M
special classes which exist in England VINO nave no
eifbeT Is h without Importance as guide to ourselves
to observe in the very best school In TINS
school perhaps not SURPASSED ey any IN S TI[E a nor
Greek studies are permitted TO- ,-..,
for Latin must be in that Of the professional soldier
whom il TO any one the language and literature OF the
most military people the world has ever should be OF
some service But no! the wise men who framed the
curriculum OF West Point though they knew that the
stndy of the campaigns of the Romans would be servca
bic 10 their students provided for their study not by the
roundabout method Of first learning language
which coud never be OF any other use but by the direct
method OF the study Of those campagns Are the pupils OF
on the CONTRARY the fact of having graduated that
school passport TO the highest scientific and prdeHedI
nr dnty TO the peope is clear let us neither waste the
precious time of youth than useless studies
nor the money Of the citizens than useless eK
penditure. ~. IT, H.. =,
| do earnestly hope that our Committee will give to
my observations their most serious delberatOn Let US
come 10 no hasy conclusion this subject accustomed
as we have hear constantly repeated such conve-
tOnal phrases that Latin and Greek are esSeha 10
the education OF a gentleman" that" classical studies
are indispensable to a liberal education;" to hear
applauded 10 the echo orators who nave
introduced into their speeches quotations OF
had Latin or worse Greek, by audiences OF whom
not one in one thousand understand what
was said; have been apt 10 receive such phrases rs
embOdyng truths without ever examining their fOunda-
tions l respectfully urge the Committee to consider
well before they act study the assigned by the
great thinkers have named for condemnng, as humby
following their wake venture To condemn rs worse
OF time the years devoted 10 Lath ana
Greek studies. 80.
Let us endeavor make the College OF this city worthy
of the city and o. tine State let cast aside the tamnes
of medieval ignorance and supply 10 the pupils OF the
College "the culture demanded by modern hic" Let us
in this first important matter which has come before
our Committee act in harmony and without prejudice,
for the welfare OF the College and or the advancement
of learning" and prove ourselves worthy OF tho sacred
trust We have assumed. dear Sir very truly yours,
NATHANIEL SANDS.
Member OF ThC Executive Committee for the Care. Gov
ement and Management Of the College Of the City OF