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PRONUNCIATION OF THE LATIN LANGUAGE.
Some difficulty may, perhaps, be at first expe
rienced in restoring the just quantity of the sylia
bles in Latin, arising from the (act that we ate
not in ourovvn language, accustomed to give the
vowel sounds with any fulness or distinctness, ex
cent in syllables where the accent falling on a
vowel compels us to make some slight rest upon
it. Even in this case, we make the delay as
short as possible; while, to an unaccented vowel,
we allow barely that amount of sound which is
necessary to give voice to the consonant which
precedes it. The ancients gave to the long vow
els their full measure ol sound, even in then
common discourse ; and so sensitive was the Ro
man ear to these distinctions ol cjuantily, and so
little license was permitted to the poets in this
respect, that Ciceio, speaking of the just, intui
tive sense of harmony and number possessed even
by those who were wholly ignorant of the rules
of versification, says that if, on the stage, the
smallest offence was offered to the laws of meas
ure, so that even a single syllable was made either
shorter, or longer, than was just, the whole thea
tre clamored against it.* The moderns, not less
than the ancients, are endowed with this dis
criminating sense ; but to enable them to exer
cise it upon Greek and Latin poetry, it is neces
sary that the just quantity of syllables should be
exactly observed. The lirst step towards this
must be the restoration of the correct sounds ol
the vowels.
It is a little remarkable, that while we alter the
sounds of the Latin vowels to accommodate them
to the supposed rule of pronunciation in our own
language, we have a number of Latin words in
common use among us that still retain, by tradi
tion, their original sound. Thus we pronounce
the word dos always short in Latin, though we
have in English dose , the same word with the
same meaning; namely, something given. We
give to the short i of bibo the sound of the diph
thong ai,f though we have the word bibber , which
might have been a guide to the Latin word from
which it is derived. The aof draco lakes, in our
pronunciation, the sound of the long e; yet our
English dragon has preserved the sound and the
short quantity of this vowel, and that without the
hint ofa double consonant. A child s first hook
is still called his primer, though, to agree with the
pretended ruleot English pronunciation by w hich
the i of primus is changed to a diphthong, it ought
t.o be called his praimer. The iol vinum , and also
of our wine and vine, is made to suffer this change;
but the sound which this vowel originally had,
both in the Latin and the English words, is still
heard in the compounds vinegar and vineyard.
It is not now easy to ascertain at precisely
what period this corruption of the vowel sounds
entered into the English pronunciation of Latin.
The change probably took place, as in the Eng
lish language itself, very gradually. It did not,
however, escape the censure ot English scholars.
Many attempts were made, at various periods,
first to arrest the progress of these corruptions,
and afterwards to reform them. We find, scat
tered through the writings ot men ol lelteis ol the
seventeentli and eighteenth centunes, compiauits
of the deterioration of the pronunciation ol Latin,
and the inconveniences resulting from it; this
language no longer serving as a medium of oral
communication between English scholars and
those of the continent of Europe. From among
those who have censured the barbarous pronun
ciation of Latin among their countrymen, and
have desired to reform it, we cannot select a higher
authority than that of Milton. In the letter ad
dressed by him to Mr. Hartlib on the subject of
education, among the first rules which he lays
down for the exercises of the pupils in his model
school, is the following in regard to their instruc
tion in Latin :
44 Their speech is to be fashioned to a distinct
and clear pronunciation, as near as possible to the
Italian, especially in vowels. For we English
men, being far northerly, do not open our mouths
in the cold air wide enough to grace a southern
tongue, but are observed by all other nations to
speak exceeding close and inward ; so that to
smatter Latiy with an English tongue is as ill a
hearing as Laic-French .”
Philipps, f in his 44 Method of teaching Lan
guages,” published 1750, speaks of the very faulty
and unpleasant manner in which Englishmen
pronounce Latin. He describes his mode of
teaching this language to a youth placed under
his care, and tells us that he took “ special care”
to wean him from his awkward manner of pro
nouncing.
44 He gave me a great deal of trouble for some
months on this head ; so that I had much ado to
persuade him to open his mouth ; for he pro
nounced the vowels very badly, especially the a
and c ; for instead of amo, he pronounced emo;
and when he pronounced emo , to buy, he called it
hno ; and instead of into , yes, he said aimo.”
Philipps speaks of this inelegant mode of pro
nouncing Latin as of a thing common, indeed,
yet not, even in his time, universal. For he says,
44 Many gentlemen in England still speak Latin
like men, ore rotundo.” ||
*\De Orut. L. III.c. 1.
f See fourth note in paper number one.
t Philipps was preceptor to some of the princes of the royal
family. He was a mau of excellent classical attainments, and
possessed, what was even then rare among the scholars of
England, a familiar acquaintance with many modern tongues*
|| The correct pronunciation of the Latin vowels was taught
in Winchester College uutil the middle of the last century.
The learned and able Dr. Foster, in his Essay
on Accent and Quantity, animadverts upon the
violence done to the quantity of the ancient lan
guages by the English mode of pronunciation.
After commenting on the attachment to quantity
professed by modern scholars, he says:
“And yet this very quantity they do all (mo&t
of them without knowing it) most grossly corrupt.
This assertion, I am aware, is very repugnant to
the prejudices of many persons, who have long
flattered themselves with an opinion, that, in then
pronunciation of Greek and Latin, they strict y
adhere to the right quantity, aud will there lore |
startle at the very mention ol their violation ot it.,
Yet this, I am persuaded, will appear to an at
tentive English reader, who shall make ‘rial o a
few lines, either in verse or prose, in any ancient
author with this view. Fie will find, I believe,
that he pronounced] as long every short penulti
mate of all dissyllables, and every short. antepe
nultima of all polysyllables that have theii penul
tima short too.” . #
Mitford, in his “Inquiry into the Principles ol
Harmony in Language,” published towards the
close of the last century, points oat the absurdity
of introducing into the Latin the eccentric pro
nunciation of the English, represents its incom
patibility with the true quantity ol syllables, and
proposes the restoration of the ancient sounds ol
the vowels as still heard in the Italian. 1 hese
attempts at reform, however, had to encounter the
opposition offered by the prejudices or vanity of
those, who, educated under the old system, weie
unwilling to find themselves lelt behind h} r the
progress of improvement. They were likewise
distasteful to many persons engaged in the teach
ing of Latin, who found both their interest and
their reputation for learning involved in the pro
posed change. Another obstacle was fouud in
the very narrow attainments of English scholars,
“ many, or perhaps most, of the most learned ol
them,” as Mitford writes, “ being little acquainted
with any living language hut their own, and
wholly unpractised in any other pronunciation.”
This obstacle to reform probably no longer exists
in England, and certainly cannot now impede it
in our country. Our scholars are familiar with
the languages and literature of continental Eu
rope, and there are, indeed, few persons among
us, who acquire a knowledge of the Latin, that
do not add to it, at least, that of the French and
Italian.
We quote Dr. Kraitsir’s views of the impor
tance of the restoration of the pronunciation ol
Latin.
“It may still he well to answer the question,
which indolence and a want us taste for truth so
often put. Os what importance is this subject V
If it is not enough to answer, that, in a universe
which is a universe because it turns round one
centre, the truth must be useful, because it is
truth ; we Can hut refer our reader to all we have
said of the science of philology, and all we have
implied. The philosopher whose single aim is
truth, and who devoutly believes that there is no
fact which does not cover an infinite depth, no
truth without infinite living cpnsequenc.es, will
need nothing more. On the other hand, the man
of the world and the tender mother will be satis
lied to know, that the true pronunciation oflan
uuaffes brings out their intrinsic affinities, their ap-
O o O # 1
proximation as they approach their origin in tune,
and their identification, at the centre of mind ; so
that many languages can be learned, when treated
in this way, at once more rapidly and more
thoroughly, than any one language can he ac
quired isolated, and consequently cut off from the
principles of universal language.
44 But a sufficient reason for recovering the true
pronunciation of Latin is its beauty . To put the
vowel sounds in such harlequin costume, as th.ey
are found in the English language, is a crime
against Roman taste, which should terrify us with
the expected ghosts of a nation, so devoted to
order and symmetry.”
The difficulty of making this change is not so
great as might be thought, even to those who
have for years accustomed themselves to a false
pronunciation. The reading Latin aloud, cor
rectly, an hour or two a day, for a few weeks,
will be quite sufficient to banish the old method
from our regard. The true sounds are so har
monious in themselves, and so consistent with the
genius and structure of the language, that they
recommend themselves at once, both to the ear
and thejudgment. As they become familiar, we
feel, for the first time, the dignity of Roman elo
quence, the melody of ancient verse. It is as if a
shriveled mummy had suddenly started into life
and vigor, and re-indued itself with the bloom
and charm ofyoulh.
We have dwelt thus at length upon this topic,
because we wish to make the matter clearly un
derstood by that large class of persons in this
country, of intelligent and cultivated minds, who,
yet, not having passed through the regular course
of scholastic studies, are obliged, in the education
of their children, to take things very much upon
trust. If it be desirable that such a number of
years, and these taken from that period of life
most valuable for the acquisition of knowledge,
should be devoted to the study of the ancient lan
guages, it is surely desirable that, in compensa
tion of all this toil, at least a knowledge of these
languages should be acquired.
There is no branch of education which stands
in greater need of the quickening touch of re
form, than the study of the ancient languages.
It is freely allowed, both in this country and in
England, that notwithstanding the disproportion
ate amount of time bestowed on the study of Ea
tin, very few Latin scholars are formed. \e\ the
language itself certainly presents no greater diffi
culties now, than when it was readily spoken
and written by all educated persons ; nor is there
anv good reason why it should be a harder task
to “ns, than to the Germans of the present time.
The unsatisfactory result ot our efforts is then to
be attributed to the erroneous system ot instruc
tion. Nothing, it must be allowed, can be more
wearisome or pedantic than this system ; nothing
could be better adapted to disgust the learnei
with the study, before he reaches an age at which
lie could judge of its importance. Children of j
tender years are required to oppress their memo- j
lies with grammatical rules and disquisitions, |
which would tax severely a mature intellect.
These are so obscurely, often so inaccurately
worded, that they are intelligible only when read
by tbe light of a previous knowledge of the facts
they pretend to expound. Many of these lules,
when disrobed of their cumbrous phraseology,
appear mere truisms ; they are, in many cases, so
trivial, so often resting on no other foundation
than the whim of some ancient pedant, that they
make us realize fully the good sense of Quinti
lian’s assertion, that it is one ot the first requisites
of a grammarian, to know that there are things
which are not worth the knowing.
There is no reason, except the unnatural man
ner in which they are taught, that the ancient
languages should be so much more difficult of’
acquirement than the modern. On the contrary,
as they are more regular, more complete in their
grammatical forms, and no longer subject to the
empire of caprice, a knowledge of them may be
acquired with greater ease and certainty. These
Languages are not dead ; or, if dead, vet so choice-
O O J t
Iv embalmed, that they miss of life only the power
of growth and the chances of decay.
Reform in matters connected with teaching,
and especially the teaching of the ancient lan
guages, has been impeded in this country by the
superstitious deference we pay to the practice of
the English universities, to which we are accus
tomed to look as to the well-heads of learning.
In this connection, we may quote the words of
Dr. Foster, himself a son of one of these time
honored institutions, and one of those whose scho
larship has reflected honor on their Alma Mater.
He speaks thus of the Academia auctoritas:
“ Although the name of a university be weighty
and venerable, yet, when we consider it as con
sisting of fallible individuals, it greatly abates of
that awe its name might otherwise inspire.”
We make no quarrel with a respect for things
old and established; nor would we willingly see
lessened that love and reverence with which our
tr insplanted England turns to her elder home. But
lie European England of the nineteenth century
has no more claim to this title of “the Old,” than
ours o's the Western world. The relation in
which these countries stand to one another is not
that of parent and child, but that of brother to
brother. It is for each to give and lake mutual
example of zeal for the cause of truth and pro
gress ; it is for neither to form itself slavishly by
tlie other. Let, rather, both turn to that venerable
England, whose children we? as they, truly are,
and among whose sons we may lind men on
whose pattern it might, indeed, not misbecome
us to model ourselves; men who looked to right,
and not to ‘custom; who sought for truth, and
did not ask after authority.
Concluded .
ALFRED HAYWOOD,
CORNER BRYAN AND BARNARD STREETS, MARKET SQUARE,
SAVANNAH GEORGIA.
Dealer in choice fruits, candies, nuts,
FIRST QUALITY ORANGES, LEMONS, APPLES
AND POTATOES-—WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
First quality Thunderbolt Oysters, Fish, &,c. Newark refined
Champaigne Cider, and Albany Cream Ale, by the bbl.
|TJ” Orders from the Country, accompanied by the cash, or City
reierence, punctually attended to. aug 0
THOMAS M. ROSIS,
IMPORTER and Manufacturer ol SEGARS, No. 107 Bay-st.,
one door west of Drayton, at the Blue Sign.— Has on hand a
large and Choice Stock of Segars, Snuff, Chewing and Smoking
Tobacco, and all other articles in his line, at Wholesale and Retail,
at the most reasonable prices. ts sept 20
GALLS. English Linseed Oil. just received per
y\f v/ barque Texas, and for sale bv
Octil JNO.G, FALLIGANT.
WANTED TO HIRE—A good Cook and Washer, for a family
of three persons, lor whom liberal wages will be given
Enquire at this office. oct. 11 —ts
PAINT AND OIL STORE, west sine of monument
square.—JOHN G. FALLIGANT invites his friends and
the public generally, both Irom town and country, to call and ex
amine his stock before they purchase. Every article is selected by
himself and will be warranted of the best quality, and he will sell
at low prices and on accommodating terms. Aug 2
WINDOW SASHES AND BLINDS— TOGO lights, rt by 10
Sash; 2000 do JO by ]2do; 1000 do assorted sizes; JOO
pair Venetian Blinds, assorted sizes. For sale by
Auf 2 J G. FALLIGANT.
o
\\j ANTED TO HIRE —A Negro Boy,about 14 to 16 years old,
VV of goodoharacter, and well acquainted with the city. En
quire at this office ts oct 11
WHITE LEAD. —10,000 LBS. Atlantic White Lead, war
ranted pure ; 4000 English do. do. do. For sale by
_ _ J. G. FALLIGANT.
WOOD, WOOD, WOOD. — The subscribers will keep con
stantly on hand a supply of the best Black Jack and Oak
Wood for sale in lots to suit purchasers. R. A. ALLEN & CO.
oct 4 . 3mo
Turpentine,
1 fk BARRELS City Distilled, for sale by
JL li Aug 2 J. G. FALLIGANT.
SITUATION WANTED ay a middle aged man, who has been
O for a number of years engaged in the Warehouse of the Central
Railroad. Satisfactory references will be given. A moderate
comensation is all that is required. oct. 11 ts
HOWARD HOUSE,
MARIETTA , GEORGIA.
WE are gratified to inform the public, and especially
from the low country, that the Howard House wf'*' 1
passed into our agency, we are determined to do awa v
complaints that Marietta does not afford the requisite conte-
by which visitors should be induced to sojourn in this deliah *
cality.
The Howard House is now renovated, and accommodati Cf
pared which cannot fail to please. r I he chambers are plea* “A
conveniently furnished. The table will be amply supple
every luxury the country affords. Attentive servants aie
In short, if agreeable quarters, a well spread table, cleanly.
attention, joined with moderate charges, can phase, wea SS; SJ
patrons that they will be found at the Howard House.
sep 6 BIX FLETCHEI
Swili, Dcaisiow Webster,
DEALERS in Groceries Provisions, Fore .
and Domestic Liquors, Oil, Gunpowder, Shot p r .;
j and wrapping Paper. Corner of Buy and Whitaker-i;
j Savannah, Georgia.
EDWARD SWIFT, ALLEN A. DENSLOW, JOSEPH W. Web ,
| July 25
FALL AND WINTER CLOTHING.
JUST received per brig Clinton, a splendid assortment of TANARUS
Coats, Frocks and Sacks, fancy Cass. Pants, fancy §■/*
Cass. Vests, together with a large assoitment of Twilledc*
Pants and Jackets, Satinet Pants and Jackets, Corderoy pjL
Beaver Coats, Sacks, Blanket and Flushing Coats and Over.f
For sale, very low, wholesale and retail, at No. JO \\ bitake “
sept 6 __ ___ PIERSON & HEid^
Bciitislry.
DR. PANCOST has removed to Bryan street, East sideV
ument square, near the State bank, where he maybe*
at all hours, night or day, lully piepared to wait upon his “frier.
the public generally.
IN. B. Artificial teeth inserted fiom one to a whole set.u
sured to give satisfaction to the wearer.
N. B. Charges greatly reduced. 6mo - ,
’ A VAIUK
THE undersigned having re-opened, with 5
entire New Stock of DRUGS, CHEMICALS
FANCY 7- ARTICLES, at No. 139 (South side) Broudv
street, (formerly Walker’s Marble Yard,) is now rendv
furnish any tiling in his line, at the shortest notice. ,S(>’jj
WATER, made in liis own peculiar way, sent to any part
the city, and always to be had at the store, in th© highest
of perfection.
Prescriptions put up with care and despatch.
The subscriber having served the public long and faithful
respectfully solicits a share of their patronage,
apr 20 TIIOS. RYERBOX,
To ths Planters and Farmers of gout,
Carolina, Georgia, i! labama, Xexuu
esseo and Flor ida,
f AM THE AUTHORIZED AGENT for,
IJL sale sind purchase of the CAM ELINA SATIVA
GOLD OF PLEASURE SEED, a native of Siberia.
1 uni now ready to li!l all orders for the seed, and beingr.
thorized by the Company to purchase the same, I willpnv:
highest market price for all that may be shipped to m
Savannah. WM. lIUMPHREYS, Jr.,
may 31 Agent for the Company of New York
Situation Wanted.
BN A YOUNG MAN, as Clerk or Book keep*
good references can be given to any person neediup
services. Apply at this office. miiv 31
CLOT B 8 fi i\Cf •
T)IERSON & HE IDT offer for sale Cloth;
JL Wholesale and Retail, at New Y ork prices. No
Wliitaker-street. apr26
To the Public.
THE Subscriber, having entered extensive:
into the making of BRICK of a superior quality top
manufactured in this city, is prepared to fill orders at thor
est notice, and as low as any establishment of the kindir
near Savannah. WM. H. LLOl'l
June 21
ROBERT N. ADAMS,
CABINET-MAKE It Ax\D UNDERTAKE!
No. 93 Broughton St., Savannah, Ga.,
IS prepared to execute all orders in his line?
the lowest prices, with dispatch. Orders from the cow 1”
promptly attended to. Ready-made coffins always on fo
und made to order at short notice,
june 28 3i
I?!. A. Cohen.
(Late of the firm of S. Solomons iy Cos.)
COMMISSION AND FORWARDING MU
savannah, ga.
Agent for steam packets H. L. Cook and Ivunhoe.
may 10
MARSH & WEBSTER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
175 B ay-St ree t —Up-Stairs.
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.
Mulford Marsh. Andrew M. Wkbst(
BOOK AND JOB PRINTING,
Os nil kinds, executed nt thin Ofliec, will* *•***••
despatch.
HAVING lately put our Office in complete on
and made large additions to it, we have now the
tensive Job Printing Office in the City and are prepay
execute all kinds of PLAIN AN 1) FANCY PRLNTJ’
with nearness and despatch, end on the most ncconioa
terms. Office 102 Brvan-street, entrance on Bay Lane.
Savannah, March 22d, 1849. EDWARD J. PO&
A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY,
A WEEKLY SOUTHERN NEWSPAPER, PUBLISH*®
EVERY THURSDAY, BY
EDWARD J. PURSE.
TERMS:—TWO DOLLARS A YEA 8 ’
-, V
Three Copies for one year, or one copy three years? &
Seven Copies, - . - _ h 1
Twelve Copies,
*** Advertisements to a limited extent, will be
at the rate of 50 cents for a square of nine lines or
the first insertion, and 30 cents for each subsequent in^ 1
Business cards inserted for a year at Five Dollars. .
SuF 3 A liberal discount will be made to Post iMastt >rp
will do us the favor to act as Agents. . -
Postmasters are authorized to remit money to F 1
and all money mailed in presence of the Postw a?tir ‘
duly forwarded by him, is at our risk.
EF 3 All communications to be addressed (post-pa^)
E. J. PUKSE, Savannah,