guage, having an alphabet different from ours, and that we never knew any one acquainted with Greek who was not also acquainted with Latin.

It seems to us, therefore, that it is impossible for a student to acquire a sound knowledge of the English language without understanding somewhat fully the meaning of such words and expressions as one meets with in Latin poetry and prose. Take, for instance, such a word as navigation. Where would an explanation of this word come from, if not from the Latin? True, the original word is Greek, but we might find several of the race of manufacture, which is strictly Latin, as also res publica, republic (an idiom), description of a constitution. Exiduum curriculum vitæ, literally the chariot drive of life, or the narrow career of life, is another instance; or to go further, that beautiful line of Milton's

"Pure essence of pure being,"

which may with undoubted truth be traced to Virgil, when he says,— "Aurai simplicis ignem."

Again, it is an undisputed fact that Pope borrowed his "Messiah” from the 4th Eclogue of Virgil.

Abundance of further proof might be adduced, showing how utterly impossible it is to express fine ideas in pure Saxon English. The assertion that it is impossible to understand the English classics without a knowledge of Latin is borne out in the fact that modern authors now as well as ancient formerly use and used Latin words extensively.

Now, with regard to the pronunciation of Latin, it seems to us that we are quite alone in our, what we will call the ancient, pronunciation of this one of the living of dead languages. It undoubtedly has many who, notwithstanding all controversial stumbling-blocks, maintain that we should pronounce it as we pronounce our own language. But it can hardly fail to be seen that the English language, being strictly a composite language, is by these philologists taking more of the science of language-the power of language in a word, the basis of language-than it has a right to do. Should not such a language as the Latin be pronounced rather as a language of the world? so that the learned of Germany, Russia, or even China can interchange ideas in it. And in what way can this be more effectually done than by assimilating its pronunciation according to the languages of the Continent? Hence it must be seen that the Catholic Church pronunciation of this language is the most correct, and we are glad to find that some of our leading scholars are acknowledging the truth of this theory; for such it is. For further consideration of this delicate point, we must refer our readers to the correspondence in the "Times" on the pronunciation of Latin, by Dean Merivale of Ely and others.

* λaλays in Pindar is to prattle.

CHAPTER III.

A FEW REMARKS ON THE STUDY OF FRENCH.

To those of our readers who have not had the benefit of a continental education, some few hints as to the best method of studying a foreign language such as French-may be acceptable and beneficial. We refer of course more especially to French as it bears upon the examination for law students.

As in all other subjects we must have, first, system, which, having been laid down, must be followed most jealously.

In the first place a thorough knowledge of the particles and nouns (substantive and adjective), with their genders, must be well stored in the memory. Afterwards the auxiliary, including aller, &c., the principal regular verbs, with a few of the irregular, defective, impersonal and unipersonal verbs, must be studied.

The pupil should now take such a book as Ollendorf, write the exercises and have them corrected by a tutor. He should also read them over to the tutor, and afterwards several times to himself. By these means he will become acquainted with the sounds of the letters and combinations. He should now take a piece of English from some law-book, translate and parse it, and afterwards re-translate it into English without the aid of the

extract.

We would not recommend the student to go beyond the 40th Exercise in Ollendorf for the idioms at the end of the book should then be studied-in fact committed to memory. More than this should not be attempted, but if the student should have the opportunity of speaking with a Frenchman occasionally he would find that ere long he would begin to think in French, which, when accomplished, would prevent, in a great measure, the acquired knowledge of the language from getting "dim" or troublesome to remember. The programme gone through, it should be recommenced and gone over again without adding fresh matter, suggestive information in reading will always be brought before the mind by constant application.

CHAPTER IV.

SYNOPSIS OF LEADING AUTHORS, STATESMEN, POETS AND PHILOSOPHERS. [ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.]

Brunswick Period-continued.

He was

OLIVER GOLDSMITH: the poet, historian and essayist; was born in 1728 A.D. at Pallas, in the county of Longford, Ireland. educated for the medical profession. In 1758 he arrived in England, and by the assistance of Dr. Sleigh obtained a situation as usher in a school at Peckham, where, however, he did not remain long.

One

of his first performances was "An Enquiry into the State of Polite Learning in Europe;" but he emerged from obscurity in 1765 by the publication of his poem, entitled "The Traveller, or a Prospect of Society." The year following appeared his well-known novel of "The Vicar of Wakefield." He soon after took chambers in the Temple. In 1768 he brought out his comedy of the "Good Natured Man" at Covent Garden, but its reception was not equal to its merits. In 1772 he produced his comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer," which was highly successful and profitable. He also published "A History of the Earth and Animated Nature," eight volumes; and his wellknown histories of Greece, Rome and England-which even now hold their ground in many schools in stupid indifference to Niebuhr, Grote, Sir G. Lewis and others. He died at his chambers in the Temple, April 4th, 1774 A.D.

EDMUND BURKE: the great statesman, orator and political writer; was born at Dublin in 1729 A.D. He projected the "Annual Register," and for some years wrote the whole of it. He entered Parliament in 1765, and distinguished himself by his speeches on the great American question, on catholic emancipation and economical reform. In 1782 he was appointed paymaster of the forces and privy councillor. His speeches on the opening and conclusion of the impeachment, the first occupying four and the last nine days, were among the grandest efforts of his oratory. He retired from parliament in 1794. He wrote many works, among which is an Inquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful." Died at Beaconsfield in 1797 A.D.

CHARLES WATSON WENTWORTH (MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM): statesman; was born in 1730 A.D. In 1765 became first lord of the treasury. Rockingham was principally engaged in repealing the Stamp Act, and declaring the right of Great Britain to tax the Colonies. Died 1782 A.D.

WILLIAM COWPER: the distinguished poet; was born at Berkhampstead, Herefordshire, in 1731 a.d. He was articled to an attorney, with whom he remained for three years, and then entered himself of the Middle Temple. He wrote "The Task," the best of all his poems; "Tirocinium," &c. Died 25th April, 1800 a.d.

FREDERICK NORTH (EARL of Guildford, known as Lord North): was born in 1732 A.D. In 1769 he was appointed chancellor of the exchequer, and in 1770 first lord of the treasury. His administration continued through the whole of the American war. Died 1792 A.D. JOSEPH PRIESTLY: an eminent dissenting divine, chemist and natural philosopher; was born at Fieldhead, near Leeds, in 1733 A.D. He published the "History and present state of Electricity." Besides this he wrote "Experiments and Observations on Air," "Lectures on General History," "Principles of Oratory and Criticism," &c. As a natural philosopher his fame rests principally on his pneumatic inquiries. Died February 6th, 1804 A.D.

WARREN HASTINGS: first governor-general of British India; was born at Churchill, near Daylesford, in Worcestershire, in 1733 a.d. In 1786 he returned from Bengal, when he was accused of having governed arbitrarily and tyrannically. An impeachment conducted by Burke followed, which lasted nine years. He was ultimately acquitted and sentenced to pay only the costs of the defence-above £70,000. He wrote "A Narrative of the Insurrection at Benares;" "Memoirs relative to the State of India," &c. Died 1818 A.D. EDWARD GIBBON: the celebrated historian; was born at Putney in 1737 A.D. In 1770 he began his celebrated history of the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," the first volume of which appeared in 1776, the second and third in 1781, and the concluding three volumes in 1788. He was also the author of many other works. Previous to this undertaking he was chosen member of parliament for Liskeard. Died January 16th, 1794 A.D.

CHARLES HUTTON: an eminent mathematician; was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1737 A.D. He was appointed professor at the Royal Military College, Woolwich, elected F.R.S. and received the degree of LL.D. from the University of Edinburgh. He produced in 1796 his "Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary," two vols., and in 1798 his "Course of Mathematics." Died in 1823

A.D.

JAMES BOSWELL: the biographer of Dr. Johnson; was born at Edinburgh in 1740 a.d. About 1783 he was called to the bar. His celebrated "Life of Johnson" appeared five years after his friend's death. Having accompanied Johnson on a tour to the Hebrides in 1763, he published "A Journal of the Tour to the Hebrides." He was also the author of various political and professional pamphlets. Died 1795 A.D.

HENRY DUNDAS MELVILLE (VISCOUNT): statesman ;

was born

in 1740 A.D. In 1773 he became solicitor-general. In 1782 he was made privy councillor and treasurer of the navy; in 1791 secretary for the home department; 1794 secretary for war, and subsequently first lord of the Admiralty. In 1808 he was impeached, but acquitted. Died 1811 A.D.

WILLIAM PALEY: an eminent divine; was born at Peterborough in 1743 A.D. In 1776 he obtained the vicarages of Dalston, in Cumberland, and Appleby, in Westmoreland, and became archdeacon of Carlisle in 1782, and in 1785, was appointed chancellor. In that year he published his great work "The Elements of Moral and Political Philosophy." His next publication was the "Horæ Paulina." In 1794 appeared his "View of the Evidences of Christianity." His last work is "Natural Theology, or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity." Died 1805 a.d. JEREMY BENTHAM: an eminent jurist and political philosopher; was born in London in 1748 A.d. He studied for the bar. Bentham lived very much in retirement, and the events of his studious life are

his numerous works. In philosophy he is the great teacher of "Utilitarianism." Some of his writings were first published in French, under the care of his friend Dumond, then librarian to the Marquis of Lansdowne. Some of the most important are the "Fragment on Government," his first work; "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation;" "Treatise on Civil and Penal Legislation;" "Theory of Rewards and Punishments;" "Ponopticon," which treats of prison discipline; "Rationale of Judicial Evidence," and "Plan of a Judicial Establishment." Died in London, 1832 a.d. CHARLES JAMES FOX: the great statesman and orator; was born January 13th 1748. His father procured for him a seat in parliament for the borough of Midhurst. In 1770 he was appointed one of the lords of the treasury, but he resigned that situation in 1772, and in 1773 was nominated a commissioner of the treasury. In consequence of some disagreement with Lord North, Mr. Fox entered the lists of opposition, and throughout the whole of the American war proved a most powerful antagonist to the ministers of that period. On the downfall of Lord North, he was appointed, in 1782, one of the secretaries of state. He soon after brought in his India bill, which, after having passed the House of Commons, was unexpectedly thrown out by the House of Lords. His literary abilities were of a high order. He left behind him his eloquent speeches and "The History of the early part of the reign of James II." He died on the 13th of September 1806 a.d.

THOMAS ERSKINE (LORD): was born about 1750 A.D. He received his education at Edinburgh High School and St. Andrew's University, and then went to sea as a midshipman; but he quitted the service after four years, and entered into the Royals, or first regiment of foot. At the age of twenty-six he became a student of Lincoln's Inn, and placed himself as a pupil in the chambers of Mr. (afterwards Justice) Buller, then an eminent special pleader, and subsequently in that of Mr. (afterwards Baron) Wood. He was called to the bar in 1778. In May 1783 he received a silk gown, and in the same year was elected member of parliament for Portsmouth. In 1792, being employed to defend Thomas Paine when persecuted on the "Rights of Man," he lost his office of attorney-general to the Prince of Wales. The ability displayed by Mr. Erskine in the trials of Hardy, Tooke and others for high treason in 1794, was admired and acknowledged by all parties. He was an opposer of the war with France, and wrote a pamphlet entitled "A view of the Causes and Consequences of the War with France," which went through forty-eight editions. In 1802 the Prince of Wales restored him to his office of attorney-general, and made him keeper of the seals for the Duchy of Cornwall. On the death of Pitt in 1806, Mr. Erskine was created a peer, and raised to the dignity of lord high chancellor of Great Britain; but he retired during the following year with the usual pension. He was the author of a political romance in two volumes, entitled "Armata," and some pamphlets on the Greek

cause.

"At the bar the resources of his mind were made apparent