Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-04
The Classics.

We have fiever,in our educational articles
in these columns, while advocating prac-
tical education for the working man and
woman, objected to classical education for
those who want IL. We believe II is best to
let that thing regulate itself. II the people
who admire the old methods and prefer them
would not stand, as they mostly do, across
the track Of progress, there would be no con-
test between the two opinions. But it is
singular to observe how, even among them
selves, the new ideas are penetrating. Who
would expect college president to speak as
speaks W. T. Reed, the newly installed pres
ident of the University of California In
his inaugural address he spoke at length on
the study Of the classics, and in the course
OF his remarks he said
1t Is said that Latin and Greek must form the
basis OF all liberal education, because In those
languages are TO be found the great masterpieces
OF the human mind. But who beside our Greek
and Latin professors knows enough of these mas
terpieces to be justified in expressing an opinion
regarding them? How many college graduates
can speak Of them from familiar personal acquain-
tance? Speak to any audience OF college men Of
their enjoyment Of the treasures of classic lier-
Rture and your remarks will bo received rs a
bit Of delightful humor That college graduates
OF even more than average attanments do not
read with delight, II they read at ALL and do not
study ancient classics models Of literature Is
beyond question. But deny the claim that the
Latin and Greek offer models In literature supe-
rior to those offered by modern writer's. Nay,
more, believe that the literature OF modern civil
lization Is as superior to that'of Greece and Rome
as the civilization of to-day Is superior to that Of
the times OF Pericles and Augustus But, you in
quire, what Is there OF value yet left In the study
OF Latin and Greek II they are to be studied
neither for the knowledge stored up In them nor
for their superiority as literary models2 This
question drives me to the last acknowled gment
An acknowledgment which assure you make
with reluctance and only after much observation
and thought believe, at present, in the study
OF Latin and Greek for purposes Of general edu-
cation, because they offer perhaps the best attain
able linguistic training. say for the present, be-
cause am not certain that there Is in either Ian
guage such inherent superiority over modern lam
gusges for linguistic purposes as to entite them to
the place they now justly hold They are at present
best because the methods in use in their study are
In other languages The study Of Latin and
Greek Is better organized, the ground has been
thoroughly worked over, and all or nearly all Of
Its capabilities are known and may be used TO the
best purpose. believe, however, that the time
Is fast coming when English and other modern
languages will be so studied as to offer to the
great majority Of students advantages more valu-
able for their purposes than those now offered by
the ancient classics. And this is one OF the
problems which hope to see this university take
an honorable rank in helping to solve.