New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-25
A MANY-SIDED QUESTION:


The question, what is the most impo rtant
branch of study is not likely to be answered
conclusively, though many authorities are re-
solved in their own minds that each of them has
proved his view of the case Mr.. Matthew Ar
mold has just given his reasons for advocating
the study of Greek and Latin. Professor Hulk
l,y has made a strong argument In favor OF
physical science Professor Max Miller, in his
lectures on What India can teach us" does
not hesitate to express the opinion that the
study Of Sanslnit is more profitable than any
other. And Pope Leo has declared, with all
the weight of his high Office, that whoever
wishes to become a true scholar must burn the
midnight oil over the fOlOs OF st. Thomas
Aauinas and the Scholastic Theology. The
modern languages are preferred by many COM
petcnt judges, and their reasons for the prefer
ence are certainly not to be lightly con-
temncd. But when all these diverse opinions
have been uttered it remains to be noted as a
fact possessing significance, that each advocate
champions the line of study he himself has pur-
sued.
-eNow it is clear that when mon who have be-
co ne distinguished declare their conviction that
tncy owe their success to a particular line OF
study, the fact, if indeed it be fact, and not an
illusion, is important. And there can be no
question that Mr. Matthew Arnold, and Pro-
lessor Huxley, and Pope Leo, and Professor
Max Miller, and Mr. Charles Francis Adams,
are each and all men of distinction. They have,
also without doubt, helped themselves TO this
distinction by the studies which they now APP
prove. Physical science has made the reputa-
ton of Professor Huxley; scholastic theology
has moulded the course of Pope Leo; bellies
lettres have occupied tho great talents of Mr..
Matthew Arnold; Oriental languages and liter
allure have engaged the attention of Max Null
Ter But all these eminent men approach the
consideration of the question before us under
obvious and almost disqualifying limitations.
They are ALL that is to say, masters OF their own
specially, but they are none of them at all thor
oughly acquainted with those studies which
they undertake to deprecate. Nothing, indeed,
can be more natural than that any man should
prefer the studies to which he has devoted him
self. 1t is inevitable that he should DO so. But
before the world can accept any opinion upon
this head IS final it must discover some man
possessing an equally thorough knowledge OF
science and belles-ettres and Orientasm and
scholasticism and modern languages, for so en-
cyclopedic q genius could alone be competent
TO institute an intelligent comparison between
| the rival branches of education. Until we find
so rounded and complete a genius we must ac-
cept with cautious reservation all these one
sided views of many-sided question. And 1t
will help us to form correct Judgment as to
| the real value of such opinions If We observe
| how even the most candid specialists are in
sensbly narrowed by their specalism. Thus,
| Mr.. Arnold talks of Greek art and literature as
| though there had been no world behind them.
| Yet it is now very well known that the Greeks
were liberal borrowers, and that we must go far
behind them if we desire to find the origins of
their science and their literature. And to in
| innate that we can learn more of human nature
from the Greeks and Romans than from our
contemporaries. rs Mr. Arnold seems to say is
to put archaeology above sociology; the dead
| above the living, that is to say, n guide to
manifestations of life. Such ideas are really
not serious, no matter with what authority
they are advanced yet equally indefensible
assertions and implications can be found i'll the
theses of all who champion special courses of
study.
Probably the question, which is the best
course of study, cannot be answered, because
no man living possesses the breadth and full
ness Of knowledge to answer it cOmprehcn-
sively. But the relatively best course of study
for every individual will always be that with
which his natural tendencies are most in SYM
pathy; that which the most easily engages his
attention. enlists his energies and develops his
intellectual powers. And whatever this course
of study may be, it may be trusted, when so APP
Piled to evolve from the student the very best
results of which he is capable.