The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-13

classics is tho best preparation for the mother
tongue, DIR. Baln points out that this must refer
either to the vocnbles OF the language or to the
grammar and structure OF our composition.
No doubt thore are some thousands Of Latin
and Greek words in our English speech but Is
there not an economy Of time in learning them
exactly ne they occur there2 II we must inter
pref thom through our knowledge OF Latin IA n
whole. we have to acquire grcat many words
that have never been imported. Moreover
since the meanings Of many have been greatly
modified since their introd uction double task
is imposed on us II we go back to the sources.
We must frst learn the meaning In the original.
and next the change. perhaps the series OF
changes. that follow the appropriation. Under
these circumstances. the directing OF our aiten-
ton to the parent tongue. although legitimate
and interesting effort scarcely seems ndls-
pensable to the right use Of our own language.
Even with tho technical and scientific terms
whose appropriation from the Greek is recent
or tentative. We must still see what they mean
as at present applied. 1t Ia curious. indeed. to
note with how large majority Of these acces-
sions their derivation gives no clue whatever.
or else puts us on the wrong seer Such
Is tho case with the words Methodist.
barometer. eudiometer. and hippopOtamus and
even with the term phlOlOgy itself which ought
to mean the science OF friendship, or the
affections. Indeed. tho only qualification to
the principle OF learning tho sense Of words
from present use alone Is that the classical
terms I'm our language are mostly derived from
n few roots a knowledge OF the latter thus in
surfing much saving Of time But here. too. we
must check every derlvativc by a compari-
son with its present Significance. OF course
the bearing Of the dead languages on tho gram
-
important. The natural course in learning the
right order OF English sentences would be to
study and practise English composition. To
be habtuated 10 different syntaxical arrange
monts must be rather obstructive than other
wise. Finally. 1t may be- well to glance mt the
most recently discovered makeweight on the
side OF classical studies. namely. their utility
rs an Introduction to phioogy. Now. this
science Is reconcile branch OF the vast sub
jet OF sociology. and It's claims as branch Of
school or college education must be established
on independent grounds. But assuming that
the subject should enter into the curriculum Of
the higher education, the relation to 1t OF Latin
and Greek Is somewhat insignificant They
are only two tongues out Of the multitude that
have to be more or less infinitely compared. the
examples taken from Sanscrit. for instance
being OF quite as great importance. In point Of
from many languages to which we pay no fur
Their attention. and why should not Greek and
Latin be treated for this purpose in the same
partial way.
OF course the case is not complete until we
view the numerous and weighty arguments on
the other side Of this most interesting topic.
But for these the reader must consult DR.. Bains
volume. which he will find rcplete with Judi
clous reflections. and acute suggestions on
many other important matters. Especially
noteworthy at the present time are his remarks
on the kindergarten methods. whose useful
ness he incllnes 10 circumscribe within very
narrow bounds. and ON the function Of drawing
in education, which he thinks there Is ten
dency to greatly overrate. On the whole. this
work must be pronounced tho most remarkable
discussion OF educational problems which has
been published in our day. We do not hesitate
to bespeak for II the widest circulation. and the
most earnest attention. II should be in the
hands OF every school teacher and friend oil
education throughout the land. NJ. W. II.