The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-25
THE CLASSICS.

B! W
.s1. -=---== as
THE CLASSICS.
college Topics" of the University
OF Virginia, makes the following state
ment:
cat an informal conference of the
students of the college department, in
tho auditorium OF Madison Hall. on
Monday night, Dean ]. NJ. Page, of the
university. explained the faculty sug-
gcstions for the changes in the require
lnents for the B. A. and NJ. a. degrees
| here. which We're discussed by tho
board OF visitors at their called meet
ing here yesterday afternoon, but which
We're not passed on, action being de-
ferrcd until their next meeting, on
June 10th. There is little doubt that
the suggestions of the faculty will be
made laws by the board, however, and
they are practically regarded as in
force at tho present time. The main
point is the exclusion of the compul-
sorry Latin or Greek course from the re-
quirements Of the B. A. degree"
II may be ''old fogy," but The Times
Dispatch views with more or less con-
Germ the tendency in modern education
to abandon the classics. This is a
practical age, and practical persons
are prone to inquire what is the prac-
teal value of a knowledge Of the dead
Languages? Why not devote the time
to acquiring a knowledge Of French,
German and Spanish, which is not only
an accomplishment, but valuable aid
to business or professional vocation?
II education were merely matter Of
accomplishments, or merely q matter
OF acquiring knowledge, such argu-
mcnts would be sound. But education,
in its truest and best sense, has to do
with the foundation rather than with
the superstructurc. We speak Of the
groundwork" Of education as though
there were some other kind Of educa-
ton. In point OF fact, all education
Is groundwork. The groundwork Is
begun when the child learns the alpha
bet-indeed, when the child enters the
kindergarten school The pupil is .ad
vanccd from ono study I'd another, as
the mind Develops; but every course Of
instruction, If the teacher knows his
: ! 3
business, is given to strengthen the
foundation. Dropping the figure, edu-
cation. as the term Implies, Is a pro-
cess Of develop mont In It's intellec-
tual aspect, it is for the training Of
the mind, and tho acquisition of knowl-
edge Is incidental. How many Of US.
al forty and fifty, could pass an eXaml-
nation on the books we studied at col
lege? Much Of tho knowledge we
gained In the foreign languages. In
mathematics and the Sciences escapes
us as we grow, unless we keep up our
college studies. But the training which
the mind received is an abiding force.
Tie man whose mind was trained at
College Is far better equipped for the
activities of life. no matter what his
calling may be, than otherwise he
would be. 1t helps the power OF analy-
Sis and In practical life that power
must be brought into action whenever
Il practical proposition is presented.
There is no better mental exercise than
/ he study OF Latin and Greek; no bet
ter groundwork for language study;
for they form the base Of most of the
modern languages of civilization. A
man may have accomplishment and
may take degree, but his education
IL not complete unless he has taken q
The University OF Virginia has made
a specially Of these classics, and The
| Tlmes-D Dispatch cannot but feel that
! 1t Is lowering it's standard and impair
Ing It's usefulness when 1t falls to in
clude Latin ana Greek in the prime
essentials Of It's curriculum.
| =------=---
MIR. BRYAN AND THE PRESIDENCY.
The New York World recently pub
lished Il dispatch from Lincoln, Ncb.,
saying that friends Of Mr. William j.
Bryan were stating, with extreme posi-
tveness. that he would not accept u
nomination from the Democratic party
! II President Roosevelt was renomi-
mated. It was also said that while
| Mr.. Bryan had so far refused absolute
Llpuoiseii'clt VI ! icsiucnt Noose'cit ne
considered that the President more
| nearly represented tho policies for
which Mr.. Bryan stood In 1895 and 1900
than any other man. In conclusion, 1t
was said that Mr. Bryan believed that
no harm could be done the party's
principles by giving MIR. Roosevelt an
uncontested election, SO far as the
Democracy was concerned.
This dispatch seemed so remarkable
TO the editor Of the Now Orleans
Times-Democrat that lie telegraphcd
tbs eminent Nebraskan to learn wheth-
er there was even a shred of truth In
the statement. Last night the follow