Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-27
Iiunianities.
THE Observations of a Philosophical
Friend Of OursJ

Grhe Observations OF PhlOsophlcdl
Friend Of OursJ
4 year or two ago We CHANGED TO be
confined for an evening in an off country
tavern with a distinguished professor.
lie was naturally suggestive Of learn
ing. and We. presumng that his own
business would make the easiest ana
most agreeable conversation, Ventured
an observation I'm that direction His
amiable condescension encouraged US, and
our few hours together passed very plea
sanity. Neither Of us, We trust, were
worse for the evening. Tor. generally
We were Of the same way Of thinking
having both drawn from the breasts OF
the same Alma Mater, the question OF
individual distinction being for the time
waived.
one thing that We and our professor
sadly discoursed Oh was how easily the
enthusiasm of knowledge and science de-
generates into a mere business, a mere
trade. Just so; a lawyer, doctor, or a
divine. often passes into mere profess
sional. so that. whatever he does. losing
it's freshness, life and flavor, becomes
business" We wear corus on our feet
and blunt our sensibiliies BY constant
use. Routine and oft repetition deadens.
That, no doubt. is the rule. The most
tender-hearted and devout and earnest
minister of the Gospel that We have ever
known was not without little OF the
general and conventional in his inter
course The clothing OF his soul was
not all grown and made up on his own
place. The least bit of art was there to
offend. when We were wanting only tho
natural. Water from an old. oaken
bucket or gum spring Ia not TO be had
out on the public thoroughfares, or OH
the common.
To return to our professor: The adj
vantages and delights of classic learn
Ing was one of the subjects talked about.
The humanities come up under their old
name. Back i'm the past old scholars
and statesmen frightened and sharpened
and strengthened their wits. and fortified
their souls with the great thoughts OF
the great men OF the past. Then classic
authors were regarded as fountains OF
life To read their works was 10 walk
with wise men. that men might be wise.
II was TO keep the company OF beautiful
spirits, and catch their hue and flavor.
Honor and beauty were I'm that way inn
parted TO professions; and professional
men acquired refinement. de,icacy. and
elevation that was quite above the COM
mon Of trade. To be mercenary was 10
be degraded.
These ideas were pleasant to entertain
an evening. But our professor lamented
that they would be good things for him
TO starve on In his business. Such ideas
would 90 for Angish noblemen, with
plenty OF money but the general student
now wanted 10 know all the tricks and
catches of his business; he would have TO
H. ii ff..f I..tt
ing was his trade. So our practical age
has got to dealing with humanities. And
we are disposed to leave 1t to the I'M
biased vote OF young students OF Latin
and Greek whether. as they are studied,
they are not the most uninviting and in
human courses TO which the mind is sub
jected.
1t Is pity TO see how, In the world.
the very best things pass from their true
purposes into abuse and mere vanity,
absolutely losing all life and meaning.
What is more useless and absurd than
q great deal OF the old-fashioned. super
stitous drudgery over Latin and Greek
grammars and constituting! But for the
Ignorance OF the teachers We would bs
disposed to think there was a warm place
somewhere reserved to pay them for
their cruelty and inhumanity to the poor
and the business and trade OF teaching
goes on from generation to generation.
and time is wasted. and hearts and minds
are ground up In its mills.
VIII the time ever come when the
human soul Is to be regarded as n live
and sacred. thing; when its true element
shall be- owned 10 be the Hight OF truth;
when the development Of Its own life
and vigor and the expansion OF its ar
fections and aspirations shall be most
regarded; broad. generous. and oompre-
hensive? Yet now. this practical age is
dsring TO manipulate. systematic. and
mould from bsbyhood to full manhood
nay, even 10 encase with its doctrines
and rules the whole life, and give to
death itself an accepted form and fashion.
Against all this humanity Is protest
ing. II feels within il its native rights.
In the light OF Scripture. IL knows that
the truth must make II free. Its earnest
and craving Is for the giori-
Gus liberty OF the children of light. 1t IS
feeling after God
After woman mas almost gouged your |