The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-12-21
Origin OF the Englisa Language.


Mr.. EDIToR-We feel That a few
briot observations upon the origin of
the English language and its words
would not be inappropriate. This SUI
ject is now engaging and for many
years has engaged the most industrious
attention of the best minds. From the
best sources of information we find that
the English language is divided into
100 parts, sixty are of German origin,
thirty from Latin and French, five
from Greek and five from Hebrew,
spanish and other sources. Hence for
clear understanding of good English,
The importance of understanding all
the above languages-Latin, French,
German and others. The Anglo-Saxon
part of the English language is of Ger
man origin, and is the best part of our
language. Pope, Swift, Shakespeare
and John Bunyon and our King James
Bible are largely written in vigorous
Anglo Saxon. But few of the words
in these authors are from any other
source than German or Anglo Saxon
origin. All Anglo-Saxon words are
usually very short, and of great vigor.
English from Latin, French and Greek
are long and very sonofous. These
.ost words in the hands of one who has
been properly trained by rhetorical
teaching and eloculion can be SO ar
ranged as to make the most vigorous
and majestic style for an audience.
Millions prose writings in his defense
of the liberties of the English press roll
like thunder. We give Humes' History
of England, Gibbons eRise and Fall
of the Roman Empire, Buckles En-
glish Civilization, Rousseau, and any
| fine translation of the distinguished
Roman historian, Tacitus. Many years
ago when James A. Garfield was nomi-
mated for president of the United States
some one, we never knew who, wrote
and mad published in the New York
Tribune very powerful article in favor
of such nomination. Whether read just
before or after his nomination we do
not remember, but one thing is very
sure it had powerful influence. This
article had about ninety-five per cent
lof Anglo-Saxon words in its makeup.
1--WE heard an illusion TO it read at q
State Teachers association TO illustrate
the power of Anglo-Saxon English !;
this was to enforce by Prof. McNally
in our state university the Importance
of studying Anglo-Saxon. He was then
and had been for some time, q teacher
of Anglo-Saxon in the above institu-
tion. A Thorough German education il
Ia sine qua non to such q study. Mr..
Jefferson, one of the very greatest
statesmen we ever had. wrote IN
Anglo-Saxon grammar for students,
and had department organized in the
University of Virginia for teaching
Anglo Saxon and that institution has
ever taught this language as well as
other languages. Jefferson was a great
scholar in many languages, mathe.
matics and other sciences and he kept
up his education all his life. We sup.
pose he knew every learned smart man
| in Europe at the time he founded the
Virginia University. In its organiza.
tion he had elected to its chairs many
intelligent and scholarly English
teachers. These gave it an impress that
has ever followed 1t IN all its work
Hence all our southern statesmen are
such powerful writers ard speakers.
Jefferson has had a very powerful in.
| fluence upon the worlds education. lie
was great scholar and had grea,
mind, understood almost any subject
with perfect ease, especially the science
Of government ard was one Of the besl
writer's and expounders of the science
Of government of any age.
There is no more important schoo
study than synonyms and metaphors ia
languages. The Bible, Shakespear.
and our standard rhetorics are all full
of good examples. Always study tt
find out the grounds Of any aud al
metaphors. No one can well study any
literature without clear understand
ing of synonyms and metaphors. 81,
j j. w. S.