The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-07-21
CO44TIMBIA, S. c..
Thursd Morning. July 81. 1870.
9Th. study OF Emxlish."

"Ahc osuoy "a AA1h.'
We have read with much interest the
able reports introduced in the late Vir-
ginia Educational Convention. Among
these reports, was one on ''the study. Of
English and the modes of it's study in
primary, academic and collegiate insti-
tutions." The report states that the
object of education is two-fold-to pre-
pare the young for the ordinary Offices of
life, and to train all their faculties for
the most effective, generous and elegant
performance of every duty, in any sta
ton in which they may be placed. It is
rightly argued that practical and liberal
education are not opposed, as some are
disposed to think, and it is contendcd
that they ought, as far US possible, to be
combined. 1t is suggested that 'liberal
education should never be suffered to
impair practical discernment and energy;
but 80 much of liberal culture as may be
attainable, should always be conjoined
with practical training" The report
magnifies the English tongue and quotes
the language of Koch, an able German
writer, who says:
"'That the English unites the power of
The German with the hexibility Of the
Romace tongues, and appears perfectly
polished for every species of composition
in verse or prose- In sonorousness,
smoothness, and Elasticity, the English
;is inferior to the Greek; in systematic
regularity and terse penetration, to the
Latin; in mechanical precision, and in
transparency, to the French; in softness
aud vooalic melody, to the Italian; in
majestic dignity, to the Spanish; in elias
ticity and self-dependence, to the Ger
man; but if inferior to each of these Ian
guages in the characteristic excellence of
each, it combines tho merits of all in Il
remarkable degree with other and more
precious merits Of its own"
AS to the power and influence exertcd
by the English language, the report
says:
"From the mouth of the ST. Lawrence
and the Newfoundland to the farthest
wastes of Vancouver's Island; from Hud-
sons Bay, and from 'Oonalaska's shore,
to the Rio Grande aud the Gulf of Cali
fornia, our language is spoken, and our
race is spread. If the rereiHe of the
English drum encompasses the globe and
wakes up the morning on every line of
longitude, the music of the English
speech attends the march of the sun,
giving utterance to hymns of praise and
thanksgiving, conveying knowledge, i'll
structng nations, and putting broad
girdle around the earth-a boud of com.
mnnion stronger in its ultimate influ-
apppe than "a Ct 5o nrin,,
In conclusion, the report alludes to
the Importance of perfect mastery Of our
language, and remarks:
"What sparkling attractions are hid
den around the lips of those who. either
IN private conversation or in public
hnrangue, exhibit the beauties of the
English tongue! The gift of the FAIRIES
IS theirs; rain of diamonds and rubies
and other jewels drop spontaneously
from their mouths! How we hang upon
their words! How we muse over their
sentences and dream Of their phrases and
images! How readily we accept their
conclusions and hasten to etubrace their
counselsl Rightly do we 80, for perfect
expression is the fruit of hal,itually just
thought aud habitually upright and
kindly feeling"
We heartily concur with the author OF
this able report in the spirit of his sug-
gestions. In education, let the "old
humanities" not be discarded, but ut the
same time, let rs pay due attention to
the study OF English. It is said of Wat
kins Leigh, of Virginia, that it was his
boast that lie knew but one language
only-the English. In this country, let
us acquire the use of at least our own
language. the language of Sidney, and
Spenser, and Raleigh, and Bacon, and
Shakspearc-let us teach it to our youth
in all its length, depth, width and
beauty.
From the ntterances Of the press, it
would seem that Napoleon will have to