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Article ON THE ADVANTAGES OF CLASSICAL KNOWLEDGE. ← Page 6 of 9 →
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On The Advantages Of Classical Knowledge.
Having pointed out the benefits which the study of the ancients renders to society , it now remains to shew the advantages which result from it to individuals . In a country where almost all the modern languages are derived from the Latin and Greek , a knowled ge of the writers of antiquity is in many situations of life almost indispensable and in the formation of the
; gentleman and the scholar absolutel y necessary . Hence it is that classical learnmgforms so great a part of liberal education ; and hence it is that those who have possessed the stores of ancient learning , have rendered themselves useful and eminent in society . An acquaintance with the Greek and Latin languages , independently of the advantages to be drawn from them m the writings of the classicsis of much
, productive real utility . The Latin may , indeed , be called the language of philosophy and science ; for , through its medium much knowledge may be obtained by the scholar , which is absolutely beyond the reach of the mere English reader . Many foreign universities communicate their transactions in Latin , and the most , valuable , works in natural and moral science are arrayed in the Roman dressThe Latin is
. frequently spoken on the continent , and is in a great measure considered as a necessary accomplishment , and without which a deficiency in point of education is inferred . It is also this language that is the key to the French , Spanish , and Italian writers , and . which , while it facilitates the . acquisition of foreign tonguesis of particular importance in forming correct and accurate
, a knowledge of our own . In every species of composition , then , the use of classical knowled ge is " evident , and from the study of it will be derived additional flowers of style , and extended scope of argument . l °
1 hose , indeed , who exclaim against the utility of ancient learning assert , that its introduction , sc far from producing good effects , has rendered the modern writers a servile herd of imitators ; and tramelled the . manly exertions of ori ginal genius . I answer to this language , it maybe objected that all the writers who have excelled in reasoning and in language , in matters of taste and in the more serious researches of h
philosopy , have been men of liberal education and elegant attainments ; men who neither too sedulously followed the ancients , nor too carelessly disregarded their merits . The absurdity of some early writers m too closely imitating , and the folly of later authors in totally neglecting- the classics , equally require censure . In the Lusiad of Camoens , a ridiculous mixture of heathen mythology with Christian doctrinesrenders
, an otherwise excellent poem in many places highly inconsistent , and plainly shews that the author has been misled by conceiving the " gods of Homer as essential to epic poetry * . " On the other hand , Shakespeare and Ariosto , by giving a free scope to their rich and exuberant imaginations , frequently spoil real beauties by the introduction of childish quibbles and fantastical conceits . Good writers endeavour to preserve the middle path ; and classical
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Advantages Of Classical Knowledge.
Having pointed out the benefits which the study of the ancients renders to society , it now remains to shew the advantages which result from it to individuals . In a country where almost all the modern languages are derived from the Latin and Greek , a knowled ge of the writers of antiquity is in many situations of life almost indispensable and in the formation of the
; gentleman and the scholar absolutel y necessary . Hence it is that classical learnmgforms so great a part of liberal education ; and hence it is that those who have possessed the stores of ancient learning , have rendered themselves useful and eminent in society . An acquaintance with the Greek and Latin languages , independently of the advantages to be drawn from them m the writings of the classicsis of much
, productive real utility . The Latin may , indeed , be called the language of philosophy and science ; for , through its medium much knowledge may be obtained by the scholar , which is absolutely beyond the reach of the mere English reader . Many foreign universities communicate their transactions in Latin , and the most , valuable , works in natural and moral science are arrayed in the Roman dressThe Latin is
. frequently spoken on the continent , and is in a great measure considered as a necessary accomplishment , and without which a deficiency in point of education is inferred . It is also this language that is the key to the French , Spanish , and Italian writers , and . which , while it facilitates the . acquisition of foreign tonguesis of particular importance in forming correct and accurate
, a knowledge of our own . In every species of composition , then , the use of classical knowled ge is " evident , and from the study of it will be derived additional flowers of style , and extended scope of argument . l °
1 hose , indeed , who exclaim against the utility of ancient learning assert , that its introduction , sc far from producing good effects , has rendered the modern writers a servile herd of imitators ; and tramelled the . manly exertions of ori ginal genius . I answer to this language , it maybe objected that all the writers who have excelled in reasoning and in language , in matters of taste and in the more serious researches of h
philosopy , have been men of liberal education and elegant attainments ; men who neither too sedulously followed the ancients , nor too carelessly disregarded their merits . The absurdity of some early writers m too closely imitating , and the folly of later authors in totally neglecting- the classics , equally require censure . In the Lusiad of Camoens , a ridiculous mixture of heathen mythology with Christian doctrinesrenders
, an otherwise excellent poem in many places highly inconsistent , and plainly shews that the author has been misled by conceiving the " gods of Homer as essential to epic poetry * . " On the other hand , Shakespeare and Ariosto , by giving a free scope to their rich and exuberant imaginations , frequently spoil real beauties by the introduction of childish quibbles and fantastical conceits . Good writers endeavour to preserve the middle path ; and classical