418 EEPOKT — 1891. 



these counts. We study them for the sake of their Hterature, 

 for exercise of our hnguistic faculties, and for comparative 

 grammar. They are to be preferred to the classics, first, 

 because they are living languages, dealing with the thoughts 

 which stir the world now ; and, secondly, because they do not 

 demand for their mastery anything like so large a portion of 

 our available time. 



But to return to the classics : Let us consider them lastly 

 with reference to their subject-matter. Let it be granted that 

 we use the study of them in the best way — that is, not only as 

 an exercise-ground in grammatical subtlety or in etymology, 

 but as an introduction to the best specimens of good literary 

 style ; that we gather from them the life and manners of the 

 two races to whom modern Europe owes its present intellec- 

 tual and political development ; that we trace in them the 

 working of the principles, political, social, and moral, which 

 face us in the difficulties of modern life : the question remains 

 whether we could not get all these lessons without the laborious 

 entrance into the languages which prevents any but the most 

 gifted from ever getting beyond the grammar stage. The value 

 of the study of the subject-matter of the classics is beyond dis- 

 pute. The perfect symmetry and simplicity of the Greek 

 drama is unrivalled. The boldness of outline with which the 

 virtues and the vices of the Greek and Eoman heroes are 

 depicted by the historians makes ancient history as unique for 

 character-lessons as are the models which Greek sculpture has 

 left us for lessons in art. Tbe eloquence and patriotism of 

 Demosthenes, the noble idealism of Plato's dialogues, cannot 

 be taken without serious loss from any system of a liberal 

 educatioii. Yet I believe that all present advantages could be 

 secured by treating these authors as part of English literature, 

 and reading them in good translations. No one has grasped 

 the main features of Eoman character better than Shake- 

 speare, who had only inferior translations to draw upon. No 

 one has formed a more accurate conception than he of the 

 feelings which the rise of Caesar created in the hearts of the 

 old Eoman aristocracy. 



I think the time has come when the best scholars of our 

 day might be authorised by the universities to produce a 

 standard English version of all the classics, with the same 

 care as our forefathers translated the Bible. Our Bible is in 

 no way inferior to the original ; and, though probably the 

 masterpieces of ancient thought would not so readily pass 

 into our tongue, still works like Jowett's Plato and Brown- 

 ing's translations of the " Alcestis " have shown us what even 

 individuals can accomplish. Now is the time to make a com- 

 bined attempt, while scholarship and criticism are in their 

 prime, and trazaslatiou, combining accuracy and grace, has 



