GROWTH AND DIFFUSION OF CRITICAL SPIRIT. 135 



Leipzig (1772-1848), got his philosophical training in 

 the school of Kant. 



From what was said in the introduction to this 

 portion of the history of thought, on the importance of 

 language in the study of philosophical problems, it will 

 be seen that the position taken up by the great repre- 

 sentatives of what has been called " Sprachphilologie " 

 was quite natural and consistent. Language itself, 

 notably the highly developed languages of classical 

 antiquity, forms a firm basis from which we can pene- 

 trate into the meaning and ideas of ancient civilisation 

 in its most perfect examples. In the two classical 

 languages, the mental achievements of two great ages, 

 upon which all modern civilisation is grafted, have found 

 a definite expression. The study of these languages, of 

 the literatures of Greece and Eome, of the words, flexions, 

 syntax, and metrical forms which they contain and 

 exhibit, thus affords the best introduction to the study 

 of antiquity. The emendation of corrupt texts, con- 

 jectures as to doubtful readings, rehabilitation of missing 

 passages, all that is usually comprised in the term 

 text-criticism, furnishes an enormous field for research, 

 and gives ample opportunity for the exercise of ingenuity 

 and the application of learning. It marks a well-defined 

 object, upon which both master and pupil can direct 

 their attention, and, under favourable circumstances, 

 assist each other. No subject can form a better oppor- 

 tunity for the work of education and training in the 

 higher sense of the word. The exercises are concen- 

 trated upon an object which is sufficiently defined and 

 compact to counteract vagueness, and yet sufficiently 



