The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-30
Inspiring Welcome Address by Mr.,
Geo. W. Miles.
REPLY BY DR.. JAMES w. BRIGHT.
Many Interesting Papers Read Before
the Assooiation-Thc Sessions Well
Aucndcd-SociaI Features in
Connection with the Meeting

last night, after presenting the regrets
OF Mr. Bryan. who had been first as
signed 70 this duty, spoke, in substance,
as follows:
We believe that in Virginia a man
ought always 10 be ready TO welcome his
guests Representing the Board Of WISH
cors OF this institution. and thereby in
q measure the State of Virginia. l take
pleasure in the act of greeting so many
worthy men. who not only like Prosper
are dedicated TO the bcttering Of their
minds. but are also dedicated 10 the
eariching Of the minds Of others. | do
not know that there Is company Of
men in the world beforc~whOm i could
come with such respect and regard as
the company which address tonight.
recognize in such an assembly power
little rockoned with by the noisy world,
yet whose influence is always In the
very forefront Of civilization. While
much Of the work on such an assembly
must perforce consist of such profess
sionai technicalitics as cannot become
widely popular. yet in this learned tech
niaue lies ,the glory Of our American
scholarship.
1t is the trained touch Of the musician
that produces the greatest harmony. the
prac;iced mixture Of colors that brings
out tho painters ideals. and language
study Is a kindred art 10 these. So. as a
company Of word artists. as the con-
SENATORS and promoters Of the truest
learning Of which our Western civiliza-
ton can boast, / welcome you TO the
deliberations Of your annual session.
SIAKESPEAR11.
Shakespeare is fast becoming as much
part OF our English-speaking educa-
zion as ever Homer wys OF the Greek
Shiller and Goethe. to say nothing of
leasing and others. are having a popular
revival. Travellers in Pullman cars can
be found Willing away them time with
the latest and best French and German
stories and plays.
All this IS duo in large part 10 the
Intelligent efforts Of the men composing
the Modern Language Association Of
America. In attempting to correct the
utilitarian drift of our great American
civilization II has had experience like
those of the teacher who attempted 10
correct the tendency OF his pupils 10 use
slang expressions. Said he 10 one Of the
pupils: james. put into good English the
followin: You can't pull wool over my
eyes, am up TO snuff. James thought
for moment and then frightened up
and SAID: You can't bambOozle me- / am
on 10 you" In like manner. 1.-THE Ameri-
tdl ItDRl7 nave frequently lallfl lar
short of the linguistic ideals Of the Mod
ern Language Association.
Professor Thomas Price when taking
leave of the students az the University
of Virginia. said ANY one who has eX-
perienced for once the beauties of Greek
literature and then returns TO the sOrdid
interests OF our great American life has
within him the elements Of the invincible
swine" Here in America so many men
scarcely acquaintcG with their mother
tongue. have attained eminence and re-
nown, and tho disposition has arisen 10
regard all literary efforts as superauous
The conditions in America have been
peculiar. Here is a continent thrown
open to the world. boundless resources
and multiplied industries have brought
success within tho easy reach Of any
man Of pluck and good sense. The early
settlers had no time or equipment for
pursuing the objects Of such an assoc
citation as this. 1t is different with us
now. Nothing that the world offers OF
material wealth or liberal arts is either
too good for America or out Of our
reach. Schools are everywhere at work
young Americans have studied abroad
and brought back ideas Of the highest
scholarship Of Europe.
In the name Of the great men who I'm
the past have honOred this institution. I
welcome this association which IS car
rying on the work to which they devoted
their lives.
DIR. BRIGHT
DR.. James w. Bright. Of Johns Hopkins.
and secretary Of the association. replied
briefly TO the welcome Of Mr. Miles Said
he:
The eloquent words Of the speaker re-
mind me that l might call your atten-
ton to two linguistic principles: Ian
guage. in the first place. has its lmi-
cations. and II IS the business Of this
association 10 learn not only the extent
of the powers Of language. but also 10
recognize its shortcomings and limita-
fions. Ones theories. however. are some
times strangely strained. That deiicacy
of sentiment which one ordinarily as
signs 10 the domain of the inexpressible
seems 10 be possible Of expression when
we come to Virginia.
am sure that / have the complete
response of all the members OF this as
sociation when I say that all the warmth
and cordiaiity of the speakers words
are responded TO by our own hearts.
The other pathological principle which
would like TO speak OF is variety OF in
terpreaticn OF words and sentences ami
approach OF the phrase flashing out new
ideas and associations. Thus the Modern
Language Association has never fully
defined It's mission. but uses words very
general, apparently unmeaning-"to pro-
mote the academic interests OF the mod
ern languages" / am constantly sur
prised at the complacency with which
we 60 on from year 10 year without
even defining what we are about 1t is
a most healthy condition to have that
spiritual hold upon the central idea of
the real purpose and aim OF scientific
work as not 10 be compelled 10 form
definitions which would mslead and at
best only impede the freedom OF thought
that should stimulate every intestiga-
lion.
A remarkable thing about the history
OF our association Is that we have never
had any battles or Quarrels. and. now.
happily. the time he's gone by when any
dispute could be possible. II seems TO
me that II Is unparalleled in the history
OF an organization which may be sup
posed TO have somewhat OF an aggres-
bive character.
I am sure We shall never have pleas
anter recollecuons Of any meeting.
INTERESTING PAPERS
The following interesting papers were
then read:
Social and Historical Forces IN French
Literature" by Professor Alcee Fortier.
of Tulane.
Are French Poets Poetical7" by Pro-
fessor T. u. Maroon. OF Harvard. The
speaker took tho affirmative Side Of the
question.