24 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
any direct benefit, but because he would be ashamed to be seen 
without it ; so, a boy’s drilling in Latin and Greek is insisted on, 
not because of their intrinsic value, but that he may not be dis- 
graced by being found ignorant of them—that he may have ‘the 
education of a gentleman’—the badge marking a certain social 
position, and bringing a consequent respect. 
- s + * = 
“Men who would blush if caught saying Iphigénia instead of 
Iphigenia, or would resent as an insult any imputation of ignorance 
respecting the fabled labours of a fabled demi-god, show not the 
slightest shame in confessing that they do not know where the 
Eustachian tubes are, what are the actions of the spinal cord, 
what is the normal pulsation, or how the lungs are inflated. While 
anxious that their sons should be well up in the superstitions of 
two thousand years ago, they care not that they should be taught 
anything about the structure and functions of their own bodies— 
nay even wish them not to be so taught. So overwhelming is the 
influence of established routine—so terribly in our education does 
the ornamental over-ride the useful ?” 
The opinions of many others might be also cited, but the above 
are perhaps sufficient. 
Although written nearly thirty years ago, Mr. Spencer’s remarks 
are nearly as applicable to-day as when they were penned, and 
should be read by every one. I have quoted these opinions, and 
referred to the matter more particularly in reference to school 
education in the Colonies, since at the University the science and 
professional student is now, after many a hard struggle, emanci- 
pated from most of the old classical fetters in cases where he has 
not the time or inclination to proceed with such studies. 
Mr. Spencer evidently regards the compulsory and often un- 
reasoning drilling in the classical languages as a fashion which came 
in a few centuries ago, and which will also work itself out in time. 
[ believe that amongst a few there still lingers an antiquated 
notion that the study of science is not so respectable as that 
of the classics ; and scholars on what is termed the modern side 
ia 
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