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Literary
November 18, 1914
Potosi Journal
Potosi, Washington County, Missouri
What is this article about?
Article discusses potential replacement of German with Italian in English secondary school curricula, noting Gladstone's preference for Italian due to Dante's mastery and criticism of German literature, especially Goethe's lack of duty, as recounted by Eton's head master. From Pall Mall Gazette.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Taking Up Italian.
Now that German is being ousted from the curriculum of some of England's secondary schools, possibly Italian may be inserted in its place. Such an alteration would have been cordially welcomed by Gladstone. "A favorite topic with Mr. Gladstone," writes the present head master of Eton, "was the preference in English education of German to Italian. He used to deplore it, saying that he read Dante he felt that he was in the hands of a master, but that the Germans had produced no first-rate literature. Sometimes his interlocutor would object that Goethe was a first-rate writer. The rejoinder was 'Certainly not. Goethe created a world without any conception of duty.' Sometimes a discussion would arise on this point, but I never heard that it reached any conclusion."—Pall Mall Gazette.
Now that German is being ousted from the curriculum of some of England's secondary schools, possibly Italian may be inserted in its place. Such an alteration would have been cordially welcomed by Gladstone. "A favorite topic with Mr. Gladstone," writes the present head master of Eton, "was the preference in English education of German to Italian. He used to deplore it, saying that he read Dante he felt that he was in the hands of a master, but that the Germans had produced no first-rate literature. Sometimes his interlocutor would object that Goethe was a first-rate writer. The rejoinder was 'Certainly not. Goethe created a world without any conception of duty.' Sometimes a discussion would arise on this point, but I never heard that it reached any conclusion."—Pall Mall Gazette.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Political
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Italian Education
Gladstone
Dante
Goethe
Literature
Duty
Eton
Literary Details
Title
Taking Up Italian.
Subject
Preference For Italian Over German In English Education, Gladstone's Views On Literature
Key Lines
"A Favorite Topic With Mr. Gladstone," Writes The Present Head Master Of Eton, "Was The Preference In English Education Of German To Italian."
He Used To Deplore It, Saying That When He Read Dante He Felt That He Was In The Hands Of A Master, But That The Germans Had Produced No First Rate Literature.
The Rejoinder Was 'Certainly Not. Goethe Created A World Without Any Conception Of Duty.'