Year: 1867

II i ,
J.. J.. lotNANs. ~ NO. ~. il3. j.. Appleton " -"


The claims of different departments # learning
whether regarded - Tie means II intellectual dis
cipl.uc ar tie source of valuable knowledge have
been often made the subject Of vehement contro-
vcry since tie revival of letters n the fifteenth cen
mry. Ancient and modern literature have been
placed IN direct auiapoulsm with each other; the
study OF languages las been oNto.iod Oh The one
band. and Geprociaicd on the other, u comparison
with that Of mathematics and physical science par
ties have been fOImod. sides have been taken, and
loud words lave been banded between the eager
combatants ~ II one party were in exclusive pos
session Of the truth as If a complete and generous
education did not require the culture Of all tie iacul
ties of the mind and To all tc sources OF hu
man knowledge The dispute was but the repetition
Of the old fable concerning the golden and silver
shield. Each side was night in asserting the worth
OF It's iayortc branch Of learning; but wrong in de-
nying the value of the other


We rejoice that Professor Youmau- iL maintaining
the high rank OF physical science as an element of
fodeln culture is io, inclined to disrarpge ils Inlli
ence Of literature lie avoids the cardinal error of
exclusiycncss which applied the subject Of cduca
ton necessarily does injustice TO a certain portion Of
the mental faculties. The most liberal theory Of
education asserts the importance OF physical facts;
it even admits the place which is claimed for them
by Comte and the disciples of the Positive fhosO-
ply; but il does not believe that they exhaust the
nature Of man and assigns an equally legitimate,
though different sphere To the exercise Of imagna-
ton sentiment. faith. The domain Of poetry, OF
cloqucnce, of the line arts, OF ethical and religious
feeling is no less essential than that of astronomy
and natural history The power of expression, one
Of the most subtle and mysterious cndowments of
our nature. presents equally curious and fruitful
subject of study 10 say the least that of the acids
and alkalies Of chemistry. Language itself is nat
ural product as much rs any member of the mineral
or vegetable kingdom, and the study OF ITS profound
and exquisite laws opens noble a field OF research,
and is rich in precious results as the analysis of
the physical clements. The world of literature which
preserves the creations of thought and sentiment
challenges no leSs interest as branch OF universal
culture, than the world OF science which embraces
the beautiful haTmonics revealed by the observation
of the senses. Indeed in estimating the conditions
Of personal development. of fructifyng and enrich
ing the intellect of giving strength and dignity to
the character, scarcely too high place can be ac-
corded to literature The interest in man is deeper
than that in external nature and ii is in literature
in the works of poetry, of the drama of fiction, Of
history of eloquence, that we pursue the study of
MANA study which always presents fresh charms,
which attracts the greatest variety OF minds, and
which draws its materials from the most universal
experience. I'VE are perpctually moralists." says
Dr. johnson, we are gcometricians and hydrosati-
clans only by chance"


In spite of his cminencc in the department of
physical science, and the zeal with which he urges
its claims a branch Of education, do not under
stand Professor Youmans TO call in question tho
soundness of the views which we have just set forth.


He maintains that the prctensons of classical learn
ing have been exaggerated that in the arrangement
of studies in seats of education the natural
sciences have been kept too far in the back ground
and that the extravagan and often terrible drilling
in philoogy TO which pupils are subjected at an lnh-
mature age is at war with the obvious dictates OF
reason and nature. In this position he is no doubt
supported by many of the most eminent classical
authorities of the present day. The ancients no
longer exercise the almost weird charm with which
they once enchanted the imagination and the realms
of fancy have ceased TO dominate over the world OF
SCIENCE This 10 agyest sleD gained In the progress