308 Darwinism and Other Essays. 



importance should be assigned to the history of 

 Imperial Rome than is now the case. Ancient 

 history will always, as at present, be best studied 

 in connection with ancient languages and litera 

 ture. And this remark suggests the last of the 

 subjects requiring notice in our brief survey, in 

 proceeding to consider which let it be premised 

 that the most inestimable benefits arising from 

 the study of history are here passed over, as im 

 plied in what we shall have to say about the 

 classics. 



If we have reserved the last place for the men 

 tion of classical studies, it is not because we es 

 teem them least in value. After what has been 

 said concerning the advantages of mathematical 

 and scientific training, our assertion of the para 

 mount importance of the classics will incur no 

 risk of being ascribed to one-sided prejudice. We 

 therefore make no scruple of recording our opin 

 ion that, both in quantity and in quality, the 

 mental discipline obtainable from the intelligent 

 study of the Greek and Latin languages equals 

 that which can be acquired by any other educa 

 tional means whatever. To which it may be 

 added that, if accuracy and precision are most 

 thoroughly imparted by the study of exact science, 

 on the other hand practical sagacity, catholic 



