Some Uses of the Classics to a Modern

Student

BY PRESTON SUMNER MOULTON, MASTER IN THE ABBOTT SCHOOL, FARMINGTON, ME.

F

ROM the days of the Renaissance to the present generation, the humanities, which constituted a liberal education, formed practically the whole of the university curriculum. Such studies were supposed to give wholesome nourishment to a man's entire spiritual nature, at the same time making possible some degree of grace and finish. Under the old regime, this was the one and only one criterion. Now, with the advance of science and the increased emphasis on the practical side of life, this trial of merit is not deemed sufficient. The large heart, the clear mind, the good will must be supplemented, to say the least, by the ready hand. Efficiency in all branches of commercial and industrial activity demands specialization, and specialization calls for so much more time spent in pertinent subjects, that the classics, unless they can be shown to be fundamental to such subjects, are likely to be pushed to the wall. Each and every study, then, must pass a rigid examination as regards its usefulness, which is the new standard of worth and claim for serious consideration. Of course, it stands to reason, that for the philologist and the professor of language, the ancient languages are indispensable-no more would any one deny, that a tolerably clear understanding, of them is helpful in the training of the doctor and the lawyer. But the point at issue is, whether they are not also of immediate use for the scientist and man of affairs. As an answer to the question thus raised, let us consider specifically several of the results to be obtained-in fact to be obtained only from the study of the language and literature of Greece and Rome.

The first of the spheres of usefulness to be considered, is that of the study of the languages as language, without reference to the content of their literature. Here, we are brought face to face with the fact that the Latin vocabulary forms the foundation

for the entire structure of the Romance languages. If then, we admit for a moment that the achievements or the points of view of the Latin peoples are worth while in the study of history, art, literature, we must give standing in our curriculum to these languages; for languages, after all, are the subtlest expression of national spirit. Again, the fundamental conceptions of philosophy, law, science and government are first embodied in Greek and Latin words. And so too, in the realm of the more polite conversation we find that most of the "culture words" in the English language reveal the origin of our refinement. Finally, the words used to express any advance in science or criticism, are made up of elements, either Greek or Latin. We probably can never adopt any German nomenclature our terms in science, and criticism, we have from Cicero and the Schoolmen, and we shall probably continue to draw from the same source as long as English is English, and European thought retains its continuity. Since this is so, the scientist has, in his GrecoLatin vocabulary, the means of expressing or comprehending any of the many new scientific conceptions. He is thus saved an immense amount of time and effort and laborious search for names proper to his work.

Again, in this same connection must be noted the value of the classics as discipline to the intellect, in that their structure is so very regular and complicated. John Stuart Mill says that "grammar is the most elementary part of logic-it is the beginning of the analysis of the thinking process." This being the case, it follows naturally that the languages best fitted to develop the logical faculty and quicken the thinking process, are those whose syntax provides for the greatest number of distinctions in thought, and which have the most definite rules. None of the languages, living or dead, present such opportunities for this kind of mind discipline, as do the classics. Greek and Latin reveal modes of thought and shades of expression, as far outside our every day linguistic expression, as are the ultra-violet rays outside the range of ordinary vision. of ordinary vision. As in the first place they must be considered to beget accurate speech, so, too, do they beget clear thinking, for "accurate speech and thinking go hand in hand."

Says Renan: "Nations that are fitted to play a part in univer

sal history must first die, that the world may live through them." In this quotation there is a suggestion of another great use of the classics in the broad education of a modern university man. Even a cursory glance at the history of modern institutions reveals the many germs of Greek and Roman origin which they contain. Indeed what was the Renaissance but a new birth into the heritage of classic antiquity. To be sure, the outward form of such institutions has in many cases, been modified by time and environment, but the germ is still present, and bears witness itself to its perfection and fitness from the moment of creation. There is at present perfect agreement that anything now existent can be understood in the light of its origin. The theory of evolution, which now holds universal sway, essays to define and explain what is, in terms of what has been. Here is a tendency that we cannot resist-here is a law that we dare not gainsay. Facing these facts, can we say merely that an understanding of our predecessor's culture is useful to an appreciation of our own? Ought we not rather to say, an appreciation of our own, without an understanding of their's is an impossibility.

There is still another advantage to be gained from surveying the historical field of the classics. To the true historian, far more important than mere isolated events, is the clear comprehension of the "Zeitgeist" or trend of affairs. This can never satisfactorily be obtained by surveying the modern field of action from a modern point of view only-one must have a vantage point far off, whence he can accurately see and judge the movements of the times. Were we to find ourselves on one of two or three express trains, moving rapidly in the same direction, it would certainly be no easy matter to determine our rate of progress, and at times we might even be in doubt as to whether we were going forward or backward. It is only by fixing our eye on some remote and stationery point that we are able to compare our speed with that of our neighbor's. To make application of a homely figure, fortunate are we, if by our study of the classic past we have gotten a glimpse of some such marker or milestone by the course where nations run their race. More fortunate yet if by an effort of the reason and imagination we are able to transport ourselves to such a point at rest, and from it observe the strength and speed of societies as they forge ahead or lag be

hind. Such a point of vantage is admirably presented to us by the ancient civilization. To such a point of vantage, our curious nature and our reason should attract us-to the attainment of which point of vantage, a man who is at once a warm adherent of the old idea of self perfection and an unfaltering advocate of the life of service, one of the foremost of our college presidents, urges us.

But the point at which the ancients are most particularly useful to the moderns remains to be mentioned. It is their transmission to us, of the torch which they lighted-the torch of the "wisdom of life." The acute and observing minds of those days gathered up a rich store of experience from their close study of human nature and conduct. This was possible for them, on account of the simplicity of life and manners, which enabled them to come into closer relationship with their fellow men and to obtain a deeper insight into their motives and ideals. The fruit of their observations they embodied in their writings, most of which retain their value even now. Maxims of rare good sense and penetration, applicable to all walks of life abound in their literature, and are often made the basis of modern action and conduct. Such an outline of a well ordered life as they have sketched for us, attracts us by its just and general values, by its distinctness, and by its simplicity for which we yearn to which we strive which we endeavor to uncover and express by the most penetrating literary analysis.

Not only do they present a multitude of actual truths, but they give wonderful encouragement and help in the unswerving pursuit of truth for its own sake. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are magnificent examples of the persistent and enthusiastic searchers for the truth at all cost; questioning everything and discarding all fallacies, not for the mere sake of canting criticism, but that the truth, when found, may be the more precious and worthy of admiration. And they also stimulate the use of such truth for the highest purposes, not only philosophical, but practical and ethical. Such ideals should prevail today, and should be the object of every man's education for they have formed and always will form a strong undercurrent in the tide of human action, as they alone are tenable in all ages, and for all peoples.

Such would seem to be the chief spheres of the usefulness of

the classics to the full-orbed, well-educated man of the day. And since the keynote of the modern university is usefulness, they would seem to more than fulfill the most exacting demands of the business and scientific, as well as the intellectual world in giving principles instead of laws. That knowledge is of most value which can best be incorporated into the fabric of our daily life. That discipline of mind is to be most sought which will be most valuable in "quietly unfolding our own individualities" and the classics have no superior in just these things. For technical studies tend to narrow a man, and a school of human experience is necessarily limited by time and place. A knowledge of the ancient languages and literatures lifts the practical man of the world above the narrow path of his own especial work, and brings him the breadth of view and imagination necessary for great invention and success. In the words of Lord Bacon, it gives him "the power to share at first hand in the great catholic communion of wisdom and wise men, throughout all ages and nations of the world."