GROWTH AND DIFFUSION OF CRITICAL SPIRIT. 145 



We may compare the philological seminary of Heyne se. 



and Wolf, of Hermann and Ritschl, in the great influence Liebig 



pared. 



which it had upon all humanistic studies, with the cor- 

 responding influence which the chemical laboratory of 

 Liebig at Giessen had upon scientific research. In many 

 ways also the personal influence and activity of Ritschl 

 resembled that of Liebig ; both were masterful person- 

 alities ; sovereign minds, capable and desirous of exerting 

 a commanding influence ; both were masters of method, 

 which they perfected if they did not create it ; both 

 were led by ideal aims and opened out large fields of 

 research, which required the co - operation of many 

 talented pupils whom they inspired ; both had also an 

 eye for the practical application of their theoretical 

 ideas : Liebig showed this through the emphasis he laid 

 upon the economic value of the researches which he led, 

 Ritschl in the reform which the instruction at the uni- 

 versities underwent through the labours of his pupils 

 and through his talent of organisation which he also 

 manifested in various other directions ; both also showed 

 unmistakably an intolerance of mediocre work, an im- 

 patience with mercenary labours and the fiavavaia of 

 the scientific or literary .tradesman. Their influence 

 upon the highest university training in Germany cannot 

 be overestimated, but it was also unique and cannot be 



Romans, not in the way of 

 imitation but as a second creation. 

 For this Germany is indebted to 

 Voss, whom 'the grandson's child 

 and grandchild ' must praise as a 

 benefactor : from whom starts a 

 new era for the understanding of 

 antiquity ; for he knew how to 

 discover in the classical authors 

 themselves what they took for 



granted, such as their notions of 

 their gods and the earth, their life 

 and household ; he understood and 

 interpreted Homer and Virgil as if 

 they were distant contemporaries 

 separated from us only in space. 

 His example acted on many, on me 

 from early childhood, as indeed did 

 also the personal encouragement of 

 this paternal guest." 



VOL. III. K 



