New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-13
THE AMERICAN SCHOOL ar Athens

Whom in 1880 the Archaeological lnstitdte OF
America determined to found an American school,
of classical studies In Athens the project was III
once undo taken In a practical, sell re,poc',he
manner. No general appeal for financial assst-
ance was made, nor was there n tedious delay lor
the purpose of collecting an endowment but I"
number of the leading colleges In the country
upited In an unselhsh manner and in some instances
at considerable sacrifice to begin the work. each
agreeing to furnish in regular course nj its own
charges q resident director for one year, ana De-
sides to contribute annually to the expenses OF tho
school. good working library has been collected,
credtable volume of papers of the school mas oeen
published. and during the three and half years OF
It's existence the institution has accomplished
much. IN modest way, through its successive di-
rectors and its earnest students in tho direction OF
sound scholarship and original discovery. France
for forty years and Germany for ten have main
tanned schools of a kindred purpose at Athens; ana
England at last, shamed by the zeal OF this young
country, has not only established similar foun-
daton, but erected permanent home for her
school upon site presented by the Crock Govern
ment plot of ground nearly two acres III extent
adjoining the English school, and valued ut about
$4,000 has been offered to the American school.
This hospitable and generous act on the part OF
the Government and growing realization that the
hest results cannot be obtained except unuer u
permanent roof and permanent organization and
direction have suggested that the time has come
10 make public appeal for building fund ana
perhaps the nucleus of an endowment. For this
purpose from S25, 900 to 100000 is needed More
than half Of this sum has been subscribed IN Boston
and Philadep ha and it is thought that New YORK;
the home OF two of the colleges which now con
tribute to the support of the schOol-Columbla and
the College of the City of New-Y ori-wlll readily
raise from s. 900 to 900 more, when once the
needs and deserts of the enterprise have been com
pretended With this in view, n committee OF
which Henry G.. Marquand Is charman has been
formed TO solicit and receive subscriptions.
We believe that there will be a cordial response
to this appeal. The expenses OF the school VIII
always remain small; an excellent beginning has
already been made i'll manner most credltapie 10
all concerned in 1t and the purpose and results OF
the opportunity TINS offered are IN the Inc Oh
broad and not of narrow scholarship. 1t is the
spirit of the Greek language art and CIVILIZATION
and not primarily its letter of which students AT
Athens seek to possess themselves AS f1o1essor
Goodwin the first director Of the school, well says
year in Athens is the best possible antldote lcr
too violent passion for lists of exceptions III
prosody, and no teacher will be the loser if the
Parthenon and the Erechtheum replace some OF the
useless lumber of his stock in trade Whether
classical studies are to be in tho future the foun-
datlon or merely the adornment of liberal educa-
ton in this country. 1t is important that the
inspiration of instructors should be derived from
the fountain head and this, if we understand It, Is
the chief import and the sufficient JUSTIFICATION VI
this undertaking.