14 EPISTLES TO STUDENTS, 



ed advisable to prohibit the exportation of figs. We may suppose that 

 under the original circumstances of the case, an informer or i7-vxo<pa.t- 

 T7}<; would be honored and that the epithet would be honorable, for he 

 would be detecting ciime and honoring the laws. But it would not be 

 likely that during a season of dearth, this law would be violated; first, 

 from love of country which was very strong among the Athenians, and 

 secondly, because there would be a great demand lor figs at home. Now 

 this law against exporting figs, remained un-repealed in the statute, when 

 a plentiful harvest rendered it unnecessary by removing the cause of its 

 creation. But ill-natured and malicious persons from this took occa- 

 sion to inform on all persons whom tliey could discover transgressing 

 the letter of the law. From them all informers were branded with the 

 name o-vKotpciircii. The word is never used in a good sense. Hence 

 when Demosthenes in the oration on the croicn, makes the distinction 

 between the counsellor and the sycophant, and by implication applies 

 this latter term to j^jschines, we can appreciate the force of the expres- 

 sion to an Athenian ear. The word after this signified a tale-bearer in 

 general, then a parasite, a flatterer, then especially a flatterer of the great, 

 of princes, hence a deceiver, an impositor. The word as transferred 

 and used in our language is generally applied to those who hang upon 

 the great and flatter them ; and hence it means one who flatters to de- 

 ceive. Now what a fund of information the history of this word fur- 

 nishes us. What an interesting and profitable mental exercise. We be- 

 come acquainted with a law of the Athenians, the cause of that law, the 

 state of society when that law was in operation and we learn somelliing 

 of their human nature, it opens u door by which we can look, at least 

 to some extent, into tlie workings of their minds, and finally we be- 

 come thoroughly acquainted with our own language so far as one word 

 can teach us. Thus language etymologically considered opens one of 

 the richest mines to the philosophical student. 



epistles to students. no. iii. 

 Young Gentlemen : 



There remains of your matriculation vow something more (n be 

 said. It is not exliausted in the topics thus far considered. In addition 

 to the things pledged, which have already been presented, you solemn- 

 ly bind yourselves, upon your truth and honor, "to abstain from tlie 

 use of profane language. " 



Your college in making this requisition, proceeds' upon very safe 

 ground. It is nothing more than directing your attention to one of the 



