Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-12
CLASSICS IN COLLEGES.
The Lecture of Charles Francis
Adams Criticised.
Comment Upon IL by the Presi-
dents Of Harvard, Dart
mouth and Brown.

SuAH VI ANN h0Eus DNHE
month and Brown.
BosToN, July 8.-The paper by
Charles Francis Adams. IT,, read be-
fore the Phi Beta Kappa Society at
Harvard few days ago, has created a
sensation, and is fertile topic Of cons
versation among thoughtful people.
The views presented By Mr.. Adams
meet with very general commentator
and college graduates who might be
supposed to oppose his views, il any
class would, generally indorse his SEN
timents. Several college presidents
aave been interviewed on the subject.
President Eliot, of Harvard Uni>
yersity, Is evidently in sympathy with
Mr.. Adams. He says: THE praeti.
cal measure proposed by Mr.. Adams,
namely, an option between Greek and
modern languages in the examination
for admission to the college, seems to
me judicious one. Indeed, pros
posed 1t ten years ago to the academy
council OF Harvard University, but it
then obtained the votes of only one,
fourth of all the professors, those of
the scientific and medical schools in
cluded. Since 1873 | think there has
been some change Of opinion upon the
subject, but there is still great fear
lest Greek lapse into the condition of
Hebrew, unless all boys who 60 to col
lege are forced to study it. The
substantial character of the study of
the modern languages, as commonly
pursued in this country, is also a
serious obstacle to the adoption of the
proposed option, but in this respect
Mr.. Adams sets his standard very
high. | believe the measure would
advance true scholarship in all de
partments of learning,and increase the
iohuence of universities.
President Bartlett, Of Dartmouth
College, says: THE opinions expressed
by Mr.. Adams have long been before
the public, and the attention they now
attract is largely due to the person,
the place and the occasion. For a
quarter of century | have been
meeting them, constantly and honestly
pOndering them and at all times try>
ing to persuade myself that they are
sound. My conclusion is that his
criticisms apply to the undue excess
and the inadequate and barren meth,
DDS of classical study, and no further.
Criticisms of this kind have been fer
years in my own mind, and have
endeavored to profit by them in advo-
eating wiser modes of classical study.
| have deemed it proper and necessa.
ny to recognize the existence of these
strong prejudices in the minds Of many
highly intelligent men SO far
as to secure the introduction into the
curriculum at Dartmouth College
some four years ago Of a Latin scien-
tifc course, which omits the study Of
Greek. | have conversed with intelli.
gent men Of all professions on the
subject, heard and considered all the
objections, and been a constant and
careful observer Of the effects of the
two styles OF education contrasted by
Mr.. Adams, and my conclusion is that
for an education broad, developing and
everlasting, an education that shall
make man thoroughly master of him
/ self and all his faculties at their best,
an education that shall fit him for the
best mastery of any specific calling he
may choose, AN education thatshs al give
him the highest and widest influence
in whatever specific calling, there has
yet been found 40 adequate substitute
for the wise study of the two classic
tongues. The precise influences and
agencies by which this is brought
about are'toO various end complicated
for me to state here in detail. and
: they may be, to great extent, lost BY
merely mechanical and perfume
tory method of teaching, which is
too frequently maintained to
the very end, and if Mr.. Adams
hard blows can tell effectively toward
higher and better methods, we shall
have reason to be grateful for the in
terest he awakens. But the study of
French and German, cannot in my
Judgment, confer the benefits derived
from the wise use of the ancient elias
sizes, and while oOneeding the Latin.
scientific course, | do not deem it the
best; and here | believe l express the
somewhat unanimous opinion of the
faculty Of Dartmouth College. derived
from observation. believe thct the
opposition to the ancient languages,
| yhlah Is 40 greater now than many
years ago, II so great, is destined grad
ually to give way before certain OBJ
lviOus facts. | may say in conclusion,
that my opinions have been formed,
not only bY ekpeEienoe, rejection and
discussion, but by carefully watching
the different methods OF education,
| the process and immediate results,
from the views not only of the great
mass of olassically educated men, but
of many o. ths keenest and
| aLlsst business men in my circle of
| knowledge, and of other highly intel
ligent persons, who always he 70 felt
and deeply regretted their lack of
classic, training. The experiment of
the last few years in Germany, too,
must have great weight ia the discus
sioE, ald while / expect to hear in the
future as in the past highly respecta-
Bile and even highly educated men
express themselves earnestly and We
hemently against the dead languages,
| ! look to see the study Of those Ian
IgusgeS and thor literature modified
perhaps, but retained by a heavy ma.
ioyity vote"