French Grammar. The formation of the plural and feminine of nouns. It is better-Il vaut mieux. To the last extremity-Pousser à bout. The various employments of il y a, &c., &c. German Grammar. The past participle and infinitive of ging, berfolgte, hing, kam; erkannte, fah, berfagten; fprach and fandt', &c. The conjugation of the verb ausweichen, &c. The explanation of the form of the pronoun mein in mein anfichtig ward and of fein in da jammerte mich fein, &c. And so on with all the subjects of Examination. CHAPTER IV. A FEW REMARKS ON THE STUDY OF THE LATIN LANGUAGE. WE are sure that it would not require the eloquence of a Demosthenes, or the pen of a Macaulay, to convince all sensible persons that there is no study so invaluable to everyone, both males and females, as that of the Latin Language. We do not intend to enter at any great length into its merits generally, because we have done so on a previous occasion; but we may remark that since it is to a large extent the basis of most of the languages of modern Europe, a knowledge of the Latin is indispensable to one who aims at being a member of a learned profession, not only because it gives him an insight into the affinities of other languages and enables him to embrace that most interesting study, the derivation of words, but also because it is essential that a professional man should be able to understand the many phrases that arise in the course of his reading. Doubtless many writers have done much to smooth the difficulties which beset the path of the student, by translating the works on Roman law, but we cannot but believe that a knowledge of Latin tends in no small measure to elevate the mind and grant it a freshness which is perceptible on all occasions; indeed, we find that the public schoolmen experience less difficulty than others in reaping knowledge, and this owing to the fact that their wits have been sharpened by studying the classical languages. We cannot of course entirely agree with the system of instruction pursued at the public schools, for we think more attention ought to be devoted to those subjects which benefit students in after life; but nevertheless they can invariably learn some subjects in half the time that the majority of other students require. It is true that some of our most gifted writers knew little or nothing of the classical languages. These men, however, form the exception rather than the rule. Dr. Angus observes, "It may help and console the merely English student to know, that while an acquaintance with the classic languages may aid in English composition, it is by no means essential. William Shakespeare, William Cobbett, Izaak Walton, John Bunyan, Benjamin Franklin, Hugh Miller, all excelled as authors..... yet when their chief works were written, they knew no foreign tongue." We quote this passage simply to show that we are impartial, but at the same time we think it is a sad thing for a man to have to console himself. Fortunately for these men the richness of the English language afforded them excellent opportunities for giving effect to their grand ideas; but when a man is not endowed with great powers, he must endeavour to cultivate those which he does possess to the fullest extent. So much for the plea in favour of the Latin language. The remarks on the study of Latin are offered solely with the view of assisting the "self-taught" student. He should in the first place commit to memory the declensions of nouns, adjectives and pronouns, and the conjugations of the verbs, both active and passive. He may do easy exercises simultaneously or after he has learnt his accidence, though the former plan is preferable. For exercises we recommend either Arnold's First Latin Book, or Dr. Smith's Principia Latina. The student should then learn the government of the prepositions and the principal parts of the verbs. He should also not omit to learn the lists of vocabulary preceding the exercises in the book he uses. After having gone through either of the above-mentioned books, he may do the exercises in a work of a more advanced character, such as Arnold's Latin prose composition, remembering to learn the vocabularies and the rules on which each exercise is based. We confess it is by no means an easy task to study the language without the aid of a tutor, for explanations are frequently necessary; but still if the student is careful he may study alone for a few months with advantage. Having proceeded as we propose, he may translate passages from Virgil or Cæsar. There is an edition of the latter work by A. K. Isbister-which we strongly recommend-inasmuch as the passages are simplified. We now finish these remarks, promising to supplement them on a future occasion. CHAPTER V. RECOLLECTIONS OF ANCIENT CLASSICAL WRITERS-continued. CAIUS CORNELIUS TACITUS: the celebrated Roman historian; was the son of Cornelius Tacitus, procurator in Belgic Gaul, and born probably about A.D. 54. He early distinguished himself as an advocate, and in his twenty-first year married the daughter of Julius Agricola. In the seventh year of Domitian, A.D. 88, he became prætor; but soon after he left Rome, and during his absence Agricola died. In the short reign of Nerva, he succeeded Virginius Rufus as consul, A.D. 97, and delivered the funeral oration in honour of his predecessor. Under Trajan, Tacitus enjoyed great distinction, and lived on terms of friendship with the younger Pliny, in conjunction with whom he pleaded against Marius Priscus, proconsul of Africa. It was at this period that he published the "History of Rome," from Galba to the death of Domitian, part of which only escaped the ravages of time. This work was followed by the "Annals," from the year of Rome 767 to the death of Nero in 821. He also wrote "The Life of Agricola," "The Manners of the Germans," and a "Dialogue on Oratory." No name stands higher as a historian than that of Tacitus, and his writings are a rich storehouse of political and philosophical wisdom. He displays a profound acquaintance with human nature, and with the subtle influence that affect human character and conduct. His style is remarkable for conciseness, vigour, apparent abruptness, and occasional obscurity; and his writings, like all the productions of great minds, charm most of those who study them. The exact date of his death is not known. DECIUS JUNIUS JUVENAL: the Roman poet and satirist; was born probably at Aquinum, in Campania, about the beginning of the reign of Claudius. He studied rhetoric under the most celebrated masters, and is said to have become an eminent pleader. His first essay as a poetical satirist was directed against the player Paris, and for repeated attacks of the same kind he is said to have been sent into an honorable kind of exile, by being made commander of a cohort at Pentapolis, on the borders of Egypt, in his 80th year. Juvenal may be said to have been the last of the Roman poets, and as the bold and unflinching castigator of vice he stands without a rival. Good as are his intentions, however, and forcible as are his denunciations, the moral indelicacy of the age in which he lived renders these powerful satires too gross in their details for readers of the present day. CORNELIUS NEPOS: the Roman historian; lived in the last years of the Republic and died in the reign of Augustus. He was the friend and correspondent of Cicero and other eminent men, and wrote several historical and biographical works which are now lost. It is not known whether Nepos was the author of the "Vita Excellentium Imperatorum," which has usually passed under his name. It is now thought to be probably an abridgment by another hand of an original work by Nepos. ANICIUS MANILIUS TORQUATUS SEVERINUS BOETHIUS: the Roman philosopher; was born A.D. 470. He studied at Rome and Athens, and afterwards filled the highest offices under the government of Theodoric the Goth. He was three times consul, and was long the oracle of his sovereign and the idol of the people; but his strict integrity and inflexible justice raised up enemies in those who loved extortion and oppression, and he at last fell a victim to their machinations. He was falsely accused of a treasonable correspondence with the court of Constantinople, and after a long and rigorous confinement at Pavia was executed in 524. His "Consolations of Philosophy," written in prison, abounds in the loftiest sentiments clothed in the most fascinating language. Alfred the Great translated it into Anglo-Saxon. T. MACCIUS PLAUTUS: the most celebrated Roman comic poet; was born in Umbria, probably about B.C. 255. He spent the greater part of his life at Rome, where at one time he is said to have been reduced to the necessity of grinding corn with a hand-mill for a baker. He began to write plays about 220, and gained immense popularity with his countrymen by his numerous comedies, based, many of them, on Greek models, but made his own by a bold treatment and clever adaptation of them to Roman audiences. Twenty of his comedies are still extant out of the twenty-one pronounced genuine by Varro. One hundred and thirty were current under his name. His plays were still acted in the reign of Domitian, and some of them have been imitated by modern dramatists. Died B.C. 184. XENOPHON: the illustrious Athenian historian; was born probably about B.C. 450. He was a disciple and friend of Socrates, who saved his life at the battle of Delium. With his friend Proxenus he joined the army of Cyrus the Younger as a volunteer in the expedition against Artaxerxes. After the death of Cyrus and the battle of Cunæxa, and the treacherous murder of the Greek generals, Xenophon took the lead in conducting the famous "Retreat of the Ten Thousand" from Upper Asia to their native land. He afterwards served in the Spartan army against the Persians, and sentence of banishment being passed on him by the Athenians, he retired into Elis, and lived there about twenty years. It is not known whether he availed himself of the permission to return to Athens, nor when, nor where he died. He was living B.C. 357. principal works of Xenophon are the "Anabasis of Cyrus," the history of the expedition in which the historian took so prominent a part; the "Cyropædia," a fascinating picture of an ideal state based on the traditions respecting the elder Cyrus; the "Memorabilia of Socrates," a very precious memorial of the great practical philosopher; and the " Hellenica," a historical narrative. He wrote several shorter works. Xenophon's mode of thought was practical, not speculative, and his style is singularly lucid, simple and manly. : The PLATO the great Greek philosopher; was born at Athens or in Ægina in May, B.C. 429, the year in which Pericles died. He was the son of Ariston and Perictione, who boasted of their descent from Cadmus and Solon, and he was named Aristocles. The name Plato was afterwards applied to him in allusion to his broad brow or broad chest or fluent speech. Endowed with a highly imaginative and emotional nature, he early began to write poems, but at the same time studied philosophy, and at the age of twenty became the disciple of Socrates. He burnt his poems, and remained devotedly attached to Socrates for ten years, attended him on his trial, and was one of the few who listened to the final conversation on the immortality of the soul. After the death of Socrates he went to Magara to hear Euclid, thence to Cyrëne, and perhaps to Egypt, and south to Italy. On his return he began to teach at Athens, in the plane-tree grove of the "Academia;" he taught gratuitously, and had a great number of disciples, many of whom became eminent teachers. Among them was Aristotle, distinguished as the "Mind of the School," and perhaps Demosthenes. In his fortieth year Plato visited Sicily, but he offended the tyrant Dionysius by the political opinions he uttered, and only escaped death through the influence of his friend Dion. Two later visits to the court of the young Dionysius were the only interruptions to his calm life as a teacher and writer at Athens. Plato never married; took no active part in public affairs; lived absorbed in the pursuit of truth, and was so marked by gravity and melancholy that the saying became common-" as sad as Plato." His works have come down to us complete, and are chiefly in the form of dialogues; a form of literature in which he is unrivalled. They are singular in their union of the philosophic and poetic spirit, the depth of the philosopher and the rigorous exactitude of the logician with the highest splendour of imagination of the poet. Plato died, in the act of writing, it is said, in May, 347 B.C. ARISTOPHANES: the Greek comic poet; was born at Athens B.C. 450. Nothing is known of his life, except that he went with a colony to Ægina and had estates there. He was the contemporary of Socrates. Demosthenes and Euripides. He is said to have written fifty-four plays, but of these only eleven have come down to us. With the utmost boldness and licence he directed his terrible satire, not only against the chief political and social evils of the time, but against the leading men of the day, especially Cleon, the popular favourite, and the philosopher Socrates, whom he chooses to ridicule as one of the sophists. His works, therefore, present a vivid, if exaggerated, picture of Athenian life and manners. For purity and elegance of style he is unsurpassed. The titles of his works are, "The Acharnians;""The Knights" (against Cleon, and the most angry and bitter of his works); "The Clouds" (against Socrates); "The Wasps ;" "The Birds;" "The Frogs" (literary criticism); "Plutus," &c. EURIPIDES: one of the great Greek tragic poets; was born at Salamis about B.C. 481. According to a legend his birth took place on the very day of the battle of Salamis. He was taught rhetoric by Prodicus,-excelled in gymnastic exercises, studied painting, and applied himself to physical science and philosophy. He was a disciple of Anaxagoras, and afterwards of Socrates. His first play was exhibited B.C. 455, the year that Eschylus died; and his last in 408. He soon went to the court of Archelaus, king of Macedonia, and in 406 was killed by the king's hounds, which savagely attacked him in a lonely place. Euripides was of a serious and speculative turn, could not believe in the popular mythology, yet took from it the subject of his plays, making any changes to adapt them to his purpose, especially stripping the persons of ideal greatness. He brought tragedy down to the level of every-day life, and painted men as they are, not as they ought to be. His plays abound in neat quotable sayings, applicable to all circumstances of human life. He |