Alden, Timothy. Seven forensic disputations on the question whether the time usually spent in learning the Latin, Greek, & Oriental languages be usefully occupied : by Timothy Alden, Samuel Dana, Jotham Bender, James Kendall, David Kendall, William Wells,

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vestigate the nature and uses of things, and apply them to the interest of society; than to spend our time in ascertaining the various names by which they have been called among different nations?

Since language is the medium for communicating sentiments, and for transacting business, it follows, that vernacular language is, with every people, of first importance; next to this are the langguages of those nations with whom they have the greasest intercourse and most intimate connexion. But dead languages are, of all tongues, the least advantag(e)ous; unless it can be proved, that we have greater intercourse and more intimate connexion with the dead, than we have with the living. What time, therefore, can with propriety be devoted to the study of language, is justly due to the cultivation of vernacular tongues.

The most weighty argument, produced in favor of the languages, undoubtedly, is, that they furnish means of access to the treasures of antiquity.

It has, already, been intimated that the moderns enjoy numerous privileges, unknown to the

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antients, which serve to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, and extend their philosophical inquiries. But if it be thought necessary, notwithstanding, to explore the antient fields; it is very easy to show that access may be obtained in a much readier way, than by making the oriental tour.

All the valuable part of antient knowledge, which has escaped the rage of bigots, and the ravage of barbarians, is, at the present day, exhibited in the attire of modern langugae. If any inquire for Herodotus, Livy, Homer, or Virgil; it may be replied, that a Beloe, a Gordon, a Pope, and a Dryden have performed the benevolent office of exchanging their antiquated dress for suits of apparel, better adapted to the climate they now inhabit.

If any were searching for the treasures of Hippocrates, Celsus, Lycurgus, or Pliny, they might be informed, that those mines, once so valuable, are now superseded by the discovery of others, denominated Puffendorfs, Lyndenham, Blackstone, Cullen, Buffon, Boerhaave, and many more, which contain all the valuable minerals of the former, united with a vast quantity of other materials of su-

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perior quality, both for utility and ornamont.

To ennumerate names would be equally ted(i)ous and unnecessary. It is sufficient that we have the works of the antients, in literal translations, judicious epitomes, or in any other way, that gives professions of their improvements, independent of their language. Add to these observations, that the student, at the present day, finds himself surrounded with more books on every branch of science, than he has time to peruse. And also, that, these books were composed under the united advantages of antient literature, and all the improvements and experience, which two thousand years have been able to produce.

These considerations evince, beyond the reach of controversy, that the dead languages are not, at the present day, necessary for the acquistion of knowledge.

Although the antient tongues be unnecessary for the attainment of knowledge; yet it is maintained by some, that they are worthy of attention on the principles of TASTE.

This is an argument on the affirmative

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which appears to considerable advantage. Taste is the ornament of the soul. If external ornaments are not unworthy of attention; how noble, interesting, and delightful must be the ornaments and beauties of the mind?

But, can we not cultivate taste, without conversing with the antients in their own tongues? The objects of taste are coextensive with the works of nature, and the improvements of art; and are these concealed from our view by the veil of language? It has been proved, that the sources of knowledge were not buried with antiquity. Can it, then, be pretended, that the objects of taste expired with the antient languages? If we pursue the inquiry a little further, it will appear, that, (this) weighty argument, derived from taste, reverts in favour of the negative. It greatly multiplies the objects, which demand our attention; and, therefore, serves to impress the conviction that we have not a moment to mispend.

Deference to the opinion of our respectable list of opponents required us to examine more critically, whether some fruits may not yet re-

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main concealed under the leaves of antiquity. And, indeed it must be confessed, that the variety of sounds produced by the different combinations of letters, & the various colloc(a)tions of words in the antient languages enlarges the source of these pleasures of taste, which find admittance by the auditory faculty. But these, if we allow the authority of Mr. Addison, do not claim the highest seat at the banquet of taste. "The sight, says he, is the most perfect, and most delightful of all our senses." And no person, I believe, will affirm, that taste derives any superior pleasure from a view of the singular figures of the Hebrew, Greek, or Syriac letters. While the ear is indulged in this very contracted source of its enjoyments, the other avenues of pleasure are left unoccupied; but in many scenes, presented to view, the different senses participate the delight.

Hence it appears, that taste may lose far greater pleasures, than it gains, by the attention, which is pard to the languages.

Even if we allow, that the objects of hearing do furnish the more extensive and elevated pleasures; yet the argument still preponderates in favor of