The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-06
THE STUDY OF GREEK.
Some Reasons why IL shonid Not BIO Left
out ofthe College Course.


Out of the College Course. ID
To he Editor Of he Intelligeneer.
SE-The college curriculum has been
a subject OF criticism for many years, and
the controversy over it is not yet ended.
On this subject as on all others, every one
has right to his opinion, and right to
express it, too. We would be very sorry
to have It otherwise. But 1t so happens
that those who pretend to understand this
subject and advise what should he done
for It's improvement, have not considered
it in all it's bearing, not made themselves
acquainted with its history, as might be
expected; hence they will raise objections
which are not well sustained, and perhaps
have been answered often before.
The same improvement suggested In
your article OF the End inst. was attempted
In Harvard in 1926; this did not prove sat
isfactory. In 1S4l the eclectic system was
adopted, which promised great results:
President Quincy wrote in its favor and
President Clint spent bis force in bis in
auqural 10 the same effect. A very few
wears OF experience was enough. The col.
iege fell back to "a fixed uniform and class.
ical curriculum" and so continues. The
University OF Vermont tried the same ex-
pertinent, and with the same results.
II does seem to me, and l think to all
carefully rejecting men, that there Is no
propriety in trying experiments continu-
ally in education, or in politics, or in BUSH
ness. First principles in all these pursuits
have been well established.
We do not mean that all men for the
various departments OF business in lille,
must necessarily have the came prepare.
tory training. There are schools OF tech;
noiogy, schools Of approved science, otcivil
engineering and schools for the various
learned professions, which all allow and
commend. But these are apart from
general education. In opposition to the
affirmation OF Mr.. Adams and many other
Gentlemen OF distinction whom ! could
name. l will make this statement: That
curriculum which keeps abreast the study
Of language, mathematics and science,
tbrouqh the entire course OF acadmeic
training, will develope the average mind to
he very best purpose. The experience Of
al least two hundred years will confirm
this statement.
Tnen with special reference to Greek,
Let me saw, that while all unite in COM
mending the study OF science, that 1t is not
possible to study science without language.
IOf the technical terms in which our
knowledge OF science is conveyed, the
greater part are Of Greek origin
ITo this the sciences Of law is an ex-
eention,l Butin botany, geology, astron-
omy and chemistry, 1t seems to me the
knowledge OF Greek is.indlspensible. There
Il no use in spending time in discussing
me propriety OF this, oxygen is the name
OF thing, and 1t has no other name. So
with hydrogen, and with plants, flowers
and Geological strata. Such are their
names, and they who understand these
sciences, having the language from which
these technical names are derived, have
certainly great advantage.
All the new discoveries and improve.
ments may be included in this same
remark. Telegraphyis beautiful word,
40 Of photography &C., to the end OF the
chapter. To those who wish culture, re-
finement Of taste in the use Of language, l
would say, study Greek. II as intelligent
men you wish to keep pace with the i'm.
proyements Of the age, l would say study
Greek.
Opposition to the study OF Greek can be
accounted for, on the part Of thoSe who are
assisted with having studied II, in many
other ways than the pretext that 1t is use
less, G. @. VINCENT.
Mao Athens, O., July 8, 1883.