classical scholars are not likely to be bestowed even on a Porson or a Bentley in these times. The fact is no longer to be concealed, that classical learning is not, in this country, prosecuted as it once was; and there seems very little hope of the lost ground being regained. It is probable indeed that but for the influence of the Germans, who still devote themselves to the profound investigation of the dead languages with unabated ardour and immense success, there would be a much more rapid decline of scholarship amongst ourselves. The great influx of their books, and a sort of honourable rivalry in our literati not to be behind them, tend to keep up a certain standardand I do not say it is a low one-amongst us. What we have now to fear is, the usual results of a reaction,— excess on the other side. Utilitarian principles may be pushed so far that classical studies will be regarded as necessary for none but clerics, and suited to none but those whose tastes are literary, or whose profession is the science of languages. This sentiment is widely prevalent in America, and is gaining ground in this country,* where, next after Germany, classical studies have long had their deepest root in public estimation. Should they however eventually become unpopular, or neglected and disregarded as not being worth the long years of labour they require, a great change must inevitably come over our character as a literary nation. It will probably be discovered, when too late, that neither history, nor poetry, nor modern European languages can be prosecuted with equal advantage or success. Neither fine * A well known politician lately declared at a public meeting, that a single number of the Times newspaper was of more real value than the history of Thucydides. The circumstance is significant, however the statement itself may have been exaggerated. taste, nor ready memory, nor fluency and accuracy of style, will be attained with the same certainty in any other way. Eloquence will be less frequent, manners and social habits less polished, conversational powers less brilliant, a comprehension of grammatical principles (and how many consequences does this involve?) less acute. Nor is it probable that, as a general discipline of the intellect, any more efficient substitute for the classical languages will be found. As society is now constituted, a knowledge of Latin at least may be pronounced absolutely indispensable for a well-educated man. It is the base of most European languages, and the key to the literature of all. It has never been a dead language, in the sense that Greek has been, in the West. It is a fixed language only because its standard is an unchangeable literature of great antiquity. With a very large portion of the educated world it continues to be the medium through which the products of genius become the common property of all nations. It is therefore obvious that, whatever views may be entertained on the intrinsic merits and value of Roman literature, the Latin language could not be banished from our schools without very momentous results. And, as it is certain that the language itself cannot be well and fully learned apart from the study of the best Latin authors, I may venture to hope that even Propertius, with all his moral defects and blemishes, will be judged to have his proper place in the scheme of classical education. CLIFTON, Feb. 1853. |