Classic Literature. 37 



who laid claim to the character of scholars, had 

 an extensive and accurate acquaintance with Gre- 

 cian literature. In both these respects the eigh- 

 teenth century produced a singular revolution. 

 The Latin language has in a great measure ceased 

 to be that familiar medium ot conversation and of 

 writing, among the learned, that it once was; and 

 the Greek, though nominally retained, as a branch 

 of study in modern seminaries of learning, has be- 

 come almost unknown even to the liberally edu- 

 cated. A belief is daily becoming more prevalent 

 and popular that the time bestowed on the acqui- 

 sition of these languages, if not entirely wasted, 

 might at least be more usefully employed. This 

 belief, of course, has had considerable influence 

 on modern plans of education. And although in 

 a few of the ancient European seats of learning, 

 some portion of the former zeal for classic litera- 

 ture still remains; yet even in these a considerable 

 decline from their wonted eminence is plainly vi- 

 sible; and in by far the larger number the decline 

 is great, humiliating, and evidently on the in- 

 crease. 



The vernacular tongue, it is believed, first be- 

 gan to be employed in works of science, to the re- 

 jection of the Latin, in Italy. From that country 

 the practice made its way into France, and soon 

 became general. Great-Britain was the next, in 

 order, to adopt this innovation, which was ad- 

 mitted last of all into Germany and Holland. At 

 the present day the number of books published in 

 any other than the living languages is extremely 

 small. 



In America the decline of classic literature is es- 

 pecially remarkable and prevalent. Many of our 

 colleges require in their students but a superficial 

 acquaintance with the Latin language; and with 

 respect to the Greek, are contented with a smat- 



