The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-06-16

today, who have raised their magnln
cent superstructure on founda
dalton of sand, can affirm
that they know anything outside o.
their own department? How many
of them are not narrow-minded? Some
have had tho honesty to admit that
they are specialists, and that special.
lists are not always educated men; and
those wholare educated will gladly
admit that their firm foundation was
laid in the classics. No scientific pro
lessor with the proper understanding
of true education can refuse to admit
the value of Latin and Greek in his
department even though he rank
them as secondary, which is perfectly
natural and right, since every one
must put first what ia to be his life
work For Latin or Greek special
ist is as any other. The argument is
not to study these languages exclu-
sively, but to make them a founda-
ton on which all else must be built.
Such was the theory of ancient and
earlier modern education, and where
can you find today men to equal those
of the past, who wrote on every con-
ceivable subject in Latin and In
Greek? Bacon is considered the father
of modern science. Did you know that
science was only a minor department
in his vast store of knowledge and
of work? Did you know that he was
one of the greatest philosophers that
ever lived? Did you know that he
wrote altogether in Latin and in
Greek, to which he attributed all his
store of knowledge? Such men can be
named by the dozens. In modern
times, do you know that Goldstone,
the pride of gland, the greatest man
Oh the face of the globe, is also among
the first Greek scholars of the age?
Are you aware that today German in
situations of learning, the peers of any
in the world, will not graduate
students even in the scientific depart
ments without a knowledge of Latin
and Greek? Areyou aware that some
time ago the test was made of leaving
out of the course for 20 years the clas-
steal studies, and that at the end OF
that time the scientific professors
themselves requested their require
ment? Are you aware that Mr.. Hoff-
man, a leading scientist of the world,
says that Latin and Greek are as es-
sential to a science as it's own first
principles? Still you want to be a
specialist contrary to the advice OF
the whole world ofscholars, of your
own colleagues, and of common sense?
To enumerate, elucidate and Illus
trate the value of classical studies
would require hours, since they are so
numerous, interesting and beautiful.
The modern languages which have
not Latin exclu,ively for a foundation
have taken up vast number OF Latin
words. The modern languages which
have not taken the foundation of their
literature from the Greek are not wor-
thy of notice When we cannot I'M
derstand half of our own words with
out a knowledge of Latin, when Latin
gives knowledge of French, Spanish
and Italian, and aids us in all other
modern languages, what can be the
objection to studying it? When we,
as we'll as the Latins and all others,
are dependent upon the Greeks for
our literature; when all modern trag-
edies are modelled after those of
Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides;
when Aristophones is the peer of al
comedians; when their historians
are such as Xenophon and Thucydi-
DIES; when all modern law MAX
ers refer to Lycurgus, Scion
and Draco; when modern ora
tors retire with shame and disgrace
before Lysias, Andocides, Perilces
Aeschines and Demosthenes; when
such philosophers as Socrates
fiourished; when the sculptures of
Phidias cannot be equalled or even
Appropriated by modern artists;
when q vast amount Of the Bible is
written in Greek; when many of the
Greek myths are founded directly or
indirectly on the Bible, what can be
the objection to knowing a little
something about it all? Persons
too much interested in gaining a
large portion of this worlds
goods, in being apprenticed to
their desires and appetencies to the
neglect of a broad, inner education,
cannot be expected to advocate the
study of classics. They know nothing
about
THINGS so REFINED.
They never heard that the Greeks
were the most enlightened nation
that ever lived. They do not know
that everything we have, even our
jokes, is modelled after the Greeks
Could you hear one of our own num-
Der expound the beauties of the
language itself, apart from the
fact that it is the sole depen-
dence for modern literature and
civilization; could you hear him tell Of
his own Investigations of the new dis.
coveries in the beloved sciences found
ed upon Greek Investigations; could
you hear him tell how other lost ma.
tions are to be found, and the mystery
of our own origin and dismember.
ment solved, your blind eyes might
possibly be opened, and proper un.
Outstanding of true man might DC
formed by your modern, civilized, Pc
cuniary mind. We want to study
something of beauty, something in
structive, something of interest
something OF vast Importance, and
something of a broadening tendency
We want to learn of Homer, the peel
OF all epic poets; who described the
CONFLICT OF HEROES
with heroes, of gods with gods, O
heroes with gods; who described the
Il n L