tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, or, to as that goes they may not like their brethren to use his own words, "As I must call it, the across the Atlantic any too well; but I am sure English Church in America." It needs not that English gentlemen and men of all classes here that I repeat his gratulations, or speak of who have any tolerable information and are not the pleasure it afforded me to be able to give him trammelled by the narrow and absurd prejudices very full and accurate information on the state of past days of strife and dispute, are, with hardly of religion generally in the United States. His an exception, not only polite and attentive to inquiries extended to other matters. He did me Americans who know how to behave themselves the honor to ask me of things which Englishmen, with proper self-respect, (as all, I am ashamed to I am sorry to say, do not always either care or try say, do not,) but are also courteous and full of to understand, and while he reprobated some cordiality, far beyond what the rules of refined points in our policy or four social arrangements society impose upon them. I venture to assert with a severity not unexpected if not unmerited, this deliberately, without fear of contradiction, he was frank enough to admit that there were notwithstanding the occasional bitterness and difficulties in the way greater than he had sup- outbreaks of dislike and malice which one meets posed, and that it is no easy matter to effect so- with in the Times, or that organ of toryism, cial or civil reform. He spoke strongly against Blackwood's, Magazine. These represent the slavery, as all his countrymen are in the habit of feelings of a class of persons in England, but a doing whenever they meet an American; and smail class compared with the people at large; he dissented entirely from some of our axioms, some such, now and then, I have encountered, respecting civil and political rights and privileges; and on a very few occasions I have felt vexed yet, when I had, in as clear and straightforward and indignant at their conceit and abominable a manner as I was able, set forth the inherent dif- prejudice, but I must do Euglishmen the justice culties connected with the whole subject of slave- to say, that so far as my experience has enabled ry, and particularly as it exists under the provi- me to judge, I have been treated even better for sions of the Constitution of the United States, and being an American than if I had first drawn when I had attempted to present fairly the neither breath in her Majesty's dominions. Hence, I few nor small reasons for our belief in equality believe that though there may and always will be of political rights and our dislike of nobility, more or less rivalry between the two nations, the royal state, and legally established differences frequent intercourse, the similarity of interests, between man and man, he candidly confessed the strong bond of language, literature and free that these were matters well worthy his further principles will serve to make us know each consideration. At the same time he took occa- other better and better aud unite us more and sion to avow his partiality for America, his deep more closely in the bonds of brotherhood. interest in her welfare, his ardent wish to see both countries united more and more strongly in the bonds of brotherhood and his conviction of the transcendant greatness of our beloved country in the future.

In the course of our pleasant converse the venerable poet spoke most kindly of his brother bards across the Atlantic, whom he knew to some extent, though not so generally as I had supposed. He had met with some of the proIn this connection Wordsworth declared, what ductions of Longfellow and admired them very I believe from quite extensive and certainly care- much; Bryant's poems he appeared to consider ful observation to be true, that the feelings of more striking and more full of America than any Englishmen towards Americans are not what thing which he had seen; and his noble descripMr. Cooper and others have represented them tions of American scenery had made a deep imto be, viz., those of dislike and even hatred, but pression upon Wordsworth. Mrs. Sigourney he the reverse. Jealousy on the part of some, nay, had seen, and several of her pieces he had read, many, may and probably does exist, and so far and he spoke of them kindly and gently, as characterized by sweetness and melody, but as not to be ranked with the higher efforts of poetic ge"A few of the public writers here affect to maintain nius. Of American writers in general he exthat there as no general inimical sentiment or prejudice pressed a high opinion, taking occasion at the in England against the United States, with the Edinburgh Review at their head. It might as well be denied that same time to censure severely the course of some the sun appears in the east and sets in the west. The of our countrymen who forget what is due to feeling is as apparent as the day, it mingles with every their hosts as well as themselves, and for mere thought, colors every concession, and even tempers the popular purposes, help to fau the expiring flame charities. Every American established in the country as- of discord and national jealousy. But such serts it, all travellers believe it, even Captain Hall and

other writers confess it, and four out of five, on the spot, names as Irving, Prescott, Marshall, Kent, Stowhen circumstances induce frankness, admit it."-ENG-ry and many others were treasured up by him LAND. By an American, vol. ii, p. 135. 1837. with affectionate interest.

front of the mansion. The ceilings of the rooms are low and cottage like in their simplicity; the furniture is plain but solid, rich and admirably

are in keeping with the absence of all show and pretension on the part of the poet, whose mind seemed to be of too high an order to pay great heed to the mere externals of his house and its

Naturally enough while talking of such mat-joining the study is another parlor, not large, ters the subject of international copyright was but like the study filled with books, and like it introduced. Wordsworth felt strongly on this also looking out upon the lovely landscape in point, and spoke strongly; he condemned without reserve the unfair and ungenerous advantage which is taken by publishers on both sides of the Atlantic, giving the author no benefit of his la- harmonious; and the arrangements in general bors beyond what he can obtain at home. He expressed himself deliberately as of opinion that so far from its being of advantage to us in America to get the productions of learning and genius without paying for them as we ought to do, it decorations. I do not know that I can describe was prejudicial to the last degree to our own lit- Rydal Mount better than by saying in few words, erature. For what inducement is there to an that it is a place at which you feel at home alAmerican author to spend his time and his tal- most at once. There is no grandeur or state to ents on works for which he shall receive little or frighten or annoy one, but you enter as it were no remuneration? Why need he study and toil a familiar place, you are in the presence of those to produce some solid and lasting work in the- who will not allow you to be ill at ease, and in ology, medicine, law, science or general litera- half an hour's time you can hardly believe that ture, when the publishers will not give him a you have not known the persons and all you see penny for what he has done, and when all they about you for years instead of so brief a space. have to do is to take their choice out of the mul- Jam satis est. Those hours are indelibly graven titude of able productions in all departments of in my memory; that quiet, peaceful, happy learning in the mother country? Again, how Christian home I can never forget; and I shall unjust, to put it on the lowest footing, and how un-esteem the privileges of the few days spent at fair and unwise is it, to prevent an author from Ambleside and Rydal as amongst the choicest in enjoying the full benefit of his labors wherever my whole life.

his works are circulated,-unjust, because he has an equal right to the fruit of his toil with the manufacturer or with any one else; unfair and unwise, because genius and learning above all things deserve to be fostered, and like tender plants, ought not to be exposed to cold storms and the injuries of every heedless passer-by. It may not, perhaps, be necessary, but I must take the liberty to assure the reader that I fully accorded with the poet, and have wished and continue to wish most heartily that this boon may yet be rendered to authors at home and abroad, as no more than what is simply due to an illused and ill-appreciated class in the community.

DEAR MR. EDITOR, When I began to write to you, I was not without hope of being able to say something respecting Wordsworth's life and career, for it has been a noble one, full of encouragement to the child of song, still more full of bright hopes and joys to the Christian and the lover of truth and purity. It was my design, if possible, to give expression to some sentiments which I am happy to entertain in regard to the noble old bard, and the writings with which he has favored the world; and I purposed to some extent A few words more and I have done. The at least, to dwell upon the personal and mental mansion of the poet is a curious old fashioned house characteristics of the man, which have elevated internally as well as exterually, but remarkably him above his fellows and placed his name depleasant and commodious. You enter beneath servedly among the very first of the poets of our a low portal over which the vines run in profu- age. But just at present, I have not the time, even sion, and find on your right hand a small room in if I were capable of doing justice to this interestwhich breakfast is taken. To the left the hall ing topic; it is only possible that at a subsequent leads into a larger room, which is the library and date I may take it up and give you my views of study, and a most agreeable place it is. A good poetry and poets as exemplified in the career of ly and choice collection of books, a large num- Wordsworth and his immediate compeers and ber of engravings and paintings, among which friends. Meanwhile, I send you the above; take is an excellent portrait of the poet painted by the it for what it is worth;

late Henry Inman of New York, several fine specimens of statuary, with desks, old fashioned chairs and tables, fill the room, and give it an air of studious repose and comfort, apart from the Adgravity and severity of the mere student.

"Et nihi for an modo quod negarit,

Porriget hora."

A. M.

we find a time-honored custom, we naturally useful results springing out of these pursuits. conclude that it is based upon substantial rea- The second objection is less easily met, because sons, and the strength of the presumption is in it is less definite. It rests upon a comparison of proportion to the length of time it has obtained, things which do not admit of a common meaand the universality of its adoption. Hence be- sure. The mental improvement of the man is fore giving up our hereditary adherence to such what both parties aim at, and while each aca custom, we require that it be shown to be use- knowledges that the other will partially attain less or absurd; nor are most of us willing even the common end, the objector assumes that some then to abandon it. Yet even this powerful sup- plan of education different from that now gen port of prejudice has not been sufficient to pro-erally pursued, will more fully compass it. We tect the custom of making the study of the an- reply that inasmuch as these studies exercise the cient languages a large element in a liberal edu- faculties in a different way from any others, they cation, from the principle of "practical utility." therefore benefit them in a way in which no If we confine ourselves to showing, that the ob- others can. jections which have been urged against studies of this character are insufficient to induce us rationally to abandon them, we have still to show that the presumption in their favour has a rational basis-in other words, that these pursuits are worth the time and labour bestowed upon them.

I propose first to answer some of the objections which have been brought forward, and then to address myself to the real task-viz: to endeavor to show that classical studies are a good investment of time.

The acuteness of the philologist is more praetically useful than that of the mathematician, for though the latter arrogates to himself alone the title of analyst, the other is as truly one as he, and the processes being more analagous to the reasonings of common life, the exercise is more beneficial. But let us see whether, as this class of objectors assume, some other department of study can be advantageously substituted for that of the ancient languages.

The earliest intellectual processes of the infant would appear to be in the departments of gramWe are told then, (and this is the most vulgar mar, natural philosophy and mathematics. For objection,) that this sort of information is of no I suppose there are few, if any processes, deservpractical use, that as for the works of ancient ing to be styled intellectual, before the little learnauthors, if they are the objects of our wishes, we er begins to apprehend a connection between the have translations of all of them, more accurate audible sound and the thing signified, to make usually than we can make for ourselves, that the experiments in the laws of equilibrium and molexicons of our own language and the use of our tion and to entertain some notions of numbers. own authors give us a more accurate notion of For the first few years of his life, he is allowed the signification of our terms, than the know- to go on, making his own observations and inledge of the roots from which they came, though ductions, without constraint, and almost without we should be able to trace them back to Babel. assistance. But presently he has attained such Furthermore, (and this they make the stronghold a degree of mental development, that this proof their position,) that the advantages, (conce- cess is too slow to keep pace with his expanding ding that there be any,) are enormously out of capacities. His instructors lack the time to proportion to the labor and time consumed in ac- teach him orally, and, having in view the advanquiring any thing like a familiar acquaintance tages to accrue to him through life from such with these tongues, and that this time and exer- knowledge, teach him to read his mother tongue. tion, if turned into better channels, would be pro- But while thus teaching him to read it, who is ductive of results far more worthy of our efforts. guilty of the absurdity of attempting to explain In reference to the first of these objections, the subtile principles and nice distinctions with it is to be observed that it is a dogmatical which grammar as a science abounds? Of these assertion of their side of the question under dis- he remains in profound ignorance, for as far as cussion and consequently lays the onus probandi our vernacular and most of the modern languaupon those who make it. The narrowness of ges are concerned, they remain a sealed casket the views of those who measure the worth of not merely to the juvenile intellect, but to most literary or scientific attainment by what they call of adult years. "practical utility," affords them an entire protec- He is now in a condition to address himself to tion. Such are alike incapable of comprehend- studies of various kinds, elementary of course. ing and appreciating the subjects and their uses. The object of all general education being mental Because they see most within their own contract-training more than the actual information gained, ed horizon they are incredulous when others tell it is obvious that the studies of this period should them there is something to be secu beyond it. be selected from subjects which shall require asWe shall see, however, that there are practically siduity, and yet be easily comprehended-which

shall not be abstract like mathematics, requiring making the circuit of the globe half a dozen a concentration too painful to be expected from a child, (except at intervals too rare to furnish the necessary degree of

nor experimental, like the physical sciences, which presume a previous degree of cultivation supposed not yet to have been attained.

It appears then that the time which should in early youth be devoted to study, can most profitably be spent upon such subjects as geography and grammar, relieved, as before hinted at, by the elements of the abstract sciences.

times, and the urchin-unless he should be more of a geometer than by this process he is likely to be of a geographer, not know that he is one half around. He knows the general direction and that is all. Just so, the learner may take it on authority that there exist these to him imaginary relations, which constantly elude his grasp, till there is placed before him a plain and accurate map of the whole matter.

And thus is made apparent the utter futility, not to say absurdity, of the attempt to teach small children English Grammar.

Here then is a great practical advantage presented by classical studies, as furnishing a subThat geography fulfils the conditions laid down, ject suited to the capacity of early youth, and as is obvious. But does grammar? As has been presenting (to ordinary minds) the only means already stated, that of our own and most other of comprehending the grammar of our own lanmodern languages certainly does not,-conse-guage, which without such illustration appears quently some way must be shown of imparting “rudis indigestaque moles" of nouns, verbs and the general principles of all grammar with the particles innumerable. requisite ease. The application of these to our

But what are the faculties of mind cultivated

own will then be easy. If this can be effected, by these studies?
more than the original object-an acquaintance The memory is, and to a great degree.

Ob

The analytical powers are incessantly invoked.

with the vernacular-will be accomplished. This jectors say unduly. Yet it is called into requithen is the practical question-How are gram-sition as much or more in medicine, in chemistry, matical studies to be brought under these condi- and in Natural History, without its being propotions? I answer confidently, by the interven-sed to dispense with these on that account. tion of the ancient languages. The Greek, presenting as it does a striking The sentence must be divided into its various analogy to the English in construction, upon this ground claims the preference-while the Latin is the raw material from which has been manufactured one half of our vocabulary.

The similarity of principle in these is such as to render the acquisition of one comparatively easy to a master of the other, and each presents intrinsic advantages which have just been glanced at. (This is meant for those who say that one is enough.)

members, that the relations between these may be seen; the members into words whose mutual dependence and influence are to be considered; the words ranged in their respective classes as parts of speech, each one subjected to microscopic inspection by the aid of the principles of etymology; dissected into radical and termination, the appropriate significations of these assigned, and comparative etymology invoked to show the analogies they bear to words The regular, systematic, scientific inflections in their own or kindred languages. And then which by the mere forms of the words map these steps may be retraced. So that we have down to the eye the relations subsisting be- memory, analysis, classification, synthesis, contween the parts of discourse, are what furnish stantly employed-while at the same time is acthe student with the great key to the arcana of quired a habit of patient investigation invaluable Grammar. We have no such contrivance. in every department of scientific and literary These relations are either left to the imaginative, pursuit.

or cumbrously expressed by a whole host of par- To the general philologist the classics are inticles-those barbarous inventions which make dispensable. It is from these monuments of the our language so difficult.

And accordingly the instructor may dilate upon construction after construction, and give rule after rule, without the pupil's being one whit the wiser.

It is as if the lesson were in Geography and the teacher without a map were to tell his pupil that Nashville was so far west of Washington, and St. Louis so far west of Nashville, and Independence of St. Louis, and so he might go on

VOL. XVI-61

past that he traces the dialects of the present day, and it is with these that he compares them. This, though a special use of the classics, is by no means an unimportant one. Its bearing on Ethmology and through it on History, gives it a value independent of its intrinsic claims as a curious and interesting pursuit.

But more particularly. In the Latin we have the chief element of the languages of more than half the civilized world. The Romance lau