New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-25
PROFESSOR PECK AT COLUMBIA.
AN ACTIVE MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE-Hov

AN ACTIVE MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE-How
COLUMBIA STUDENTS WILL BE TAUGHT
| The recent election OF Dr. Henry Thurston Peck
to the chair OF Latin in Columbia College has proved
to be OF the most satisfactory movements that
tho trustees of Columbia College have made in late
years. If anything be judged by the opinions OF
the professors well students of Columbia LIVER
since Professor Shorts death, in December, 1856,
Dr. Peck has had the charge Of the Latin chair, and
among the seventeen candidates for the professoshIp
he has always been the unanimous choice of the
Students who when the trustees, some time ago,
submitted the names Of the five prominent
candidates to tho faculty Of the college and asked
their choice, Dr. Pecks name was the first ono men
toned.
When by Tribune reporter the other day, Dr.
Peck said: There VIII be some important changes
in the department of Latin. The courses of instruc-
ton will be IN part remodelled, and reorganized
in accordance with the latest methods OF classical
study. The reading Of Latin at sight will be an
important feature of the course hereafter In all
classes Lecture will be established 10 sup
plemcnt and illustrate the regular reading Of each
year and systematic work In comparative philology
applied to Latin infections will be a feature Of
the university course beginning with the Senior year
The graduate work Will COMPRISE research
in archaeology aud antiquities well careful
investigation of the subject of geography. The higher
degrees viii not hereafter be granted in Latin, except
for the results OF original investigation and research
Already I have introduced into the graduate work
the scminarum method which has so long prevailed
In Germany, and which has been adopted with
much at Johns Hopkins University
1t IS apparent to all who Interested In Columbia
Coles, that lvc' man has been placed In the
proper position DR.. Peck graduated from
Columbia College In 1851. As a student he In
the foremost rank being the vaedctorian of his class
He had tho honor of winning more prizes in the four
years Of his college student life than any other
from Columbia before since that
time. Among the honors the Anthem Me-
mortal Greek prize and tho Chaner Historical
prize lie was also popular In his class, being elected
class poet, managing editor of The Aca Columbana'
during that papers most palmy days, and also chair
man Of his class " Coumbad,' the junior annual of
the college In 1892 he received his Masters degree
and in 1ss4 the Doctors degree both from Columbia
Upon his graduation he became a fellow and tutor
In Latin and gave voluntary instruction in Hebrew
and Arabic, and in June, 1856, made instructor
in the Semitic languages
After the death of Professor Short Dr. Peck was
selectc.. to deliver the memorial address before the
coryot.ton of the Regents of the University at
Albany, in July, 1887. Together with Professor W.
G. Peck, he took an active part In the movement
which resulted IN the abolition of the marking system
at Columbia. lie wrote series OF articles at the
time, and these were afterward published as The
Ethics OF the Marking system" He IS a member of
the Oriental Society and the American Pathological
Society, and has contributed to The American
present he IS engaged I'm preparing CloerOnan
lexicon In connection with edition Of the oratiOns
Of Cicero, to be published by Harper 4 Brothers.
He has recently sUent some time In Berlin. studying
in connection with edition of the Tusculan dis
putatons Of Cicero, in the classical series e1cd by
Professor Pease Of Bowdoin College. It. should not
be forgotten that Professor Peck IS the author Of
charming poems Ills 4" Helotrope' is bit of mel
literature.