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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,