The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-10-31
THE APoTHBosIs OF GREEK.

What Have tho Greeks Done for Mod j.
orn Civilization? Tho Lowell Lectures
of l90S-oa Ry John r. Mahafry, OF
Trinity College. Dublin. Published ny
c. 7. Putnams Sons, New York.
This book comprises lectures BY the
distinguished author delivered Ill Bos,
ion at the iustigation of the Curator OF
the Lowell Institute, and these arc now
published in this very enc form. OWING
10 many requests. both from those VINO
heard the lectures and those who dld
not.
The purpose is TO cover the whole
period of Greek influence not only III
the various arts iu which such lntlu'
cace is generally realized, but also IN
those departments of thinking in which
moderns arrogate 10 themselves an un.
questioned superiority, but for much OF
which VIC are indebted TO the Greeks,
There is no one so competent as Mr.
Mahaffy TO deal with this large theme
He has given a lifetime 10 the study
% old Greek life, its art, politics, liter
ature, philosophy, and science, and IN
This work he takes occasion 10 give a
review Of what he has learned about the
matters stated lie considers study IN
Greek 10 be ''the uoblest part of a lib
cral education, - and yet there has been
an attempt to displace IT and he charges
such success as has attended that attempt
upon "the reaction of American lnIlu-
ance uDon Europe which we think
American influence upon the scholar
ship of the Old World. We doubt very
much whether American influence is
rhgrpoablo with this The fact is, how
ever. that modern tendencies are so
largely practical and commercial thai
the study OF Greek has been suppianted
in large degree by the study OF modern
!. III nrn It
practical use. and tho modern de
mand. in fact, is for something tran
gible rather than something that is mere
j. gratifying.
There can be no donbt in the world
about the tremendous inflcnce OF Greek
thought upon modern standards ol IN,
tclcctual activity and modern ideas and
processes When what might be called
The Greek era dawned upon the Md,
die Ages there was an awakening OF
vigor in investigation such as the world
had never known before. CoincldentlY
with this was tho advent of Arabic
science coming in chiefly through SPAN.
The Greek Influence came to Europe
from the east, the Arabic from the
west The two streams met midway:
and the result was au OVcrthrowinP OF
The routine Of thought that led the
advance guard of humanity INTO new
and unsried paths and into discoveries
fha1 vivified the whole world. The
Grccl. Influence had its great triumph
at that time. and the results have been
10 our benefit ever since; but the qucs.
rion IS now whether we have not passed
h"vond that TO a new period of human
.cudcayor and mental activity. in which
tho Greek cannot help us materially
hcpcoforWHrd. Professor MahHl ~
thinks that VIC have not, The majority
ot mankind. however, doubtless Will
agree that We have. and they Will read
Professor Mahaify 's most interesting.
learned. and in a way most convincing.
presentation with complacent tolerance
for the enthusiast, but the world will
20 on lis regular course forward lust
,ha same. leaving old things behind
and taking up that which Is new and
moro profitable.
The introductory chapter is one of
'hc finest pieces 'of composition that We
have read in many a day, II IS fit
prelude TO The expressive, vital thought
Carried in the lectures and The enthu-
Sinstic appropriations that arc 10 follow.
The lectures are entitled NGreck
Poetry. -" Greek Prose. Greek Art.
in two parts. the first being on '' Archi.
iocturc and Scripture aud the second
on Painting and Music. Then comes
Science: Grammar, Logic. Matheulat-
;cs. Medicine; - then Poltics-Sociol,
oul--Law.N and last "'Highcr Think,
jng. Philosophy. Speculative, and Prac-
teal JhcoIopy'.'' The whole is com
llcicd with good index and the vol
urc IS decidedly and acquisition 10 any