Classics at Yale

The decision of the Yale authorities to drop Latin and Greek from the list of compulsory subjects does not imply a desire to discourage classical studies. The son of Thomas Day Seymour, we may be sure, would not join in a movement in that direction. Yale is simply acting on a principle supported by many wise educators, who love their classics. The principle is that a student will derive little or no benefit from a study that is forced on him. The time given to distasteful work is wasted. Worse still, the student is kept from studies for which he has natural aptitude. Compulsion will not promote love for the classics, but rather hate.

Some years ago, it was proposed to abolish compulsory Greek at Oxford. The authorities held a plebiscite of the university electors in Great Britain, and all parts of the world. The electors are men who hold high degrees in arts, divinity and other subjects. They are largely clergymen and men engaged actively in teaching. The proposal to abolish compulsory Greek was defeated, but an analysis of the voting showed that, while those most closely associated with the practical work of the university were in favor of abolition, the majority made up of country parsons, and majority made up of country parsons, and men of that class, proud of their own scholarship, and loving the old authors, voted to retain the compulsory feature.

The Yale authorities have acted wisely. Numbers who obtained no benefit from classical studies will now turn their energies in another direction, while the rest will profit by the weeding out of the classes.

Educators know the value of classical studies; but practical teachers know that there is a strong element not convinced, and to convince it against its will would be useless.