61 The Toils of a Modern Philologist. [Ju-tt, 



productions, bids fair to surpass all but English. As the Germans also 

 translate almost everything from all European languages, it may be con- 

 sidered as forming the general and most complete depdt existing of all 

 human knowledge. 



It would be in vain to offer observations, within the limits to which this 

 sketch is restricted, on the general literature of a nation of such multifarious 

 productions, to which new additions and fresh characteristics are daily 

 added. But, though the Germans have done so much, many of their 

 works are but raw, though valuable, materials, which still require modelling 

 by the hand and chisel of Taste. In fact, she will have to make great 

 excisions in their works of Fancy, as regards both poetry and romance, 

 where imagination is distorted by exaggeration, sensibility is sullied by 

 coarseness, and good sense, truth, and delicacy are as yet strangers. 



Dutch is the only remaining language in the course which I proposed to 

 pursue. The words of the Earl of Chatham on another subject, may 

 almost be applied to this language : " It need only be mentioned that it 

 may be despised." Being composed merely of derivatives from Frankisb, 

 Flemish, German, and other dialects, it cannot interest the etymologist ; 

 having attained no reputation in literature, it cannot attract the man of 

 letters; and having a pronunciation particularly uncouth, with even more 

 gutturals than the German, without any of its redeeming qualities, its 

 application must be restricted to the purposes of Commerce, which " looks 

 at the use and not the ornament of things." 



The history of my literary course being now completed, I find myself 

 once more " alia paterna riva" delighted at the prospect of enjoying the 

 invaluable productions of " Old England." Our native tongue, the sim- 

 plest of all European languages in its construction, is next to the German 

 in richness ; but it is even below the Dutch in point of purity of origin, 

 having on its Saxon foundation erected the most incongruous combinations 

 of Danish, Norman, French, Latin, and Greek; and it is not able to claim 

 a greater antiquity, as a language of public affairs, than the time of Ed- 

 ward III. 



But it is the language of MAN, in the noblest acceptation of the word, 

 and the impress of MIND is stamped on every feature. Deep and con- 

 vincing in its philosophy, noble and overpowering in its eloquence, mas- 

 terly and comprehensive in its history, harmonious and tender in its 

 poetry, England has no rival in the combined treasures of its literature, 

 which is universally characterized by good sense, deep sensibility, and 

 manly energy of language and thought. 



It must not be urged, however, that, because an Englishman is born to 

 such a noble inheritance of mind, he should confine his knowledge to his 

 native language, any more than that he should confine his person to the 

 paternal acres which he equally inherits. 



" Quiconque ne voit guere 

 ' N'a guere a dire aussi." 



and the acquisition of foreign languages, as well as travels in foreign coun- 

 tries, must have the happiest of all results, if they extend our knowledge, 

 improve our hearts, and bring to our minds the conviction, that 



" Where'er we roam, 

 " Our first, best country ever is at home." 



