Herald Of The Valley

FOR THE HERALD OF THE VALLEY.

Mr. Editor,

Sir: By inserting in your paper, the following short essay upon the study of the ancient Classics, which I think too much neglected among us, you will very much oblige a humble patron of your paper.

The study of the ancient Languages forms, not only a highly ornamental, but also, a most valuable and interesting branch of education. A knowledge of antiquity, as is confessed, by almost every one, is a very important department of human science, & without a considerable acquaintance with this study, no person can be considered as a polite Scholar.

In examining the ancient authors, whether Poets, Orators, or Historians, we meet with all that is beautiful, all that is admirable in human composition, and though life-and spirit is a characteristic of them all, we perceive nevertheless that every one shines in his own peculiar excellencies.

Whenever we read those ancient Historians, in the original, we ascend almost to venerable antiquity; Grecian and Roman Statesmen, Heroes and Philosophers, appear before us in all the grandeur of ancient times and by a knowledge of the ancient Classics, we can at pleasure convey ourselves into Greece in all its refinement; we can see Rome in all its glory, and associate ourselves with the shades of its Heroes and Sages. But as it respects the advantages to be derived from the Classics, although numerous, I must say one very important one, is an improvement in the style of composition which is assisted in a very great degree by a knowledge of those authors. For from whatever cause, it happens yet so it is that among the ancients we are to look for the highest models in most of the kinds of elegant composition, and in general for correct and finished writings in most works of taste; and I believe it is generally considered that in proportion as the ancients are generally studied and admired or are unknown and disregarded in any country; good taste, and good composition will flourish or decline. It is by a knowledge likewise of the ancient authors that we can receive great assistance in political and moral investigations, as they will enable us to trace with precision the rise, progress, and fall of states, and likewise the causes which either forwarded or retarded those events.

They also explain to us the advantages they afford, in our attempts to unfold the human character, as they present mankind placed in an endless variety of circumstances. Another great advantage in studying classical Literature is, that many of the ancient authors abound with moral and religious reflections upon the conduct of human life, and powerfully instruct both by precept and example. They paint vice and villany in horrid colours, but employ all their reason and eloquence to pay due honors to virtue, and render undisguised goodness amiable in the eyes of mankind.

A. H.