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About Yale Alumni Magazine | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 1896)
yVAIEM ALiTwee liberal policy. In ‘47 provision was made for studying chemistry for two ars without examination on en- tranee. In a year or two engineering was added to the School, on the same terms: but searcely ten years had passed before it was found essential to require an entrance examination and also to provide a year of general foundation studies before the men were really fit to go on with the spec- ial seience studies. To-day we find even the Scientific School requiring Latin for admission to its courses, and there are rumors that were the stu- dents to choose they would make the course four years in length, that they might acquire more of the benefits of- fered by the full College curriculum. “Seience has its place and it can- not be denied that it has taken the lead in the advance of civilization of this century, and it has well earned title to a department in every fully equipped university along with law, medicine and theology. But in educa-. tion Science herself being the judge we can take but a secondary place, that of assisting Greek, Latin and Mathematics in laying the founda- tions of a liberal education. A PERTINENT STATEMENT. ‘A most pertinent expression of this sentiment I read from a recent article in ‘Nature,’ inwhich theauthor pleads earnestly and effectively for a larger place for science training at Oxford University. The article says: ‘It is not easy to fix a common measure of intellectual acquirements of classical and scientific students; but as far as 2 comparison can be instituted it is vastly to the advantage of the classi- cal scholar. He is a better’ classic than his seientific confrere is a man of science, and is in addition more widely read and has a greater knowl- edge of subjects of general interest. The most that can be said is that the science scholar knows a little of classics; a classical scholar as a rule is profoundly ignorant of sciences. But in powers of expression, in ability to handle an unfamiliar theme, and in the range and variety of knowledge, there is no comparison. ‘If the classical training insures such results in Oxford, those who wish to attain like ends and aims in Amer- ica must look for an institution in which like training is given; and if the classical department will see to it. that Yale graduates get their due pro- portion of these elements of a liberal education the rest of us may cordial- ly grant them the honor of guarding the portals of admission to Yale Col- lege.’ DR. DOERPFELD INTRODUCED. Prof. Peck now arose and introduced the next speaker with the following words :— “By an auspicious coincidence this oeeasion falls within the visit to Yale of oneof the greatestof living classical . archaeologists. Most of us have heard some of his lectures and can thank- fully testify to their great scholarship and brilliancy. Several of us have been privileged to meet him on the field of his wonderful discoveries and achievements and know something of his consistent kindness and eager helpfulness. He has not, perhaps, succeeded in making us all archaeologists or even Hellenists, but he has made all who have come within the charm of his personality his admirers and personal friends. With great pleasure I pre- sent to you Dr. Wilhelm Doerpfeld, First Secretary of the German Ar- chaeological Institute in Athens.’’ The introduction of Doctor Doerp- feld, who has been delivering a course of lectures in German on the subject on which he is a world-master, was ereeted with a very liberal burst of applause, which was repeated in even stronger form when he had finished his few remarks. Besides congratu- lating Yale on such an occasion, he eulogized the work of the American School at Athens, and urged Yale and all America to support it most gen- erously, saying that in the support of that school all other schools of classi- cal research were also distinctly aided. THE PRINCIPAL SPEAKER. In introducing the principal speaker of the evering, Professor Peck said: “T had intended to say a few words on the fraternity of scholarships, sug- gested by the most welcome presence of representatives from so many col- leges and schools, but I will not thus detain you. Among these guests by whom this’ occasion is honored and graced is a distinguished classicist, wko has done his full share in pro- moting sympathy and cooperation among American and even European scholars. A native of South Carolina, but a ccsmopolitan in his training and culture, an alumnus of Princeton Col- lege and the University of Goettingen, a Professor in the University of Vir- ginia, bearing in his body the evi- dence of his willingness to ~sacrifice and be sacrificed for the south whose chivalrous son he is; summoned to a leading position in the Johns Hop- kins University at its opening; the founder of and consistent contributor to the American Journal of Philology; a high authority on Greece and Latin grammar, but exceptionally sensitive to and appreciative of the literary finish and essential music of the an- cient writers; a brilliant professor and the creator of professors; a devoted student of the classic literatures, and a producer of modern literature, he has very exceptional claims on our grateful attention. I have the great honor of introducing to you Basil L. Gildersleeve, Professor of Greek in the Johns Hopkins University, who will speak to us on ‘Classical Phil- ology in America.’ ” IMPOSSIBLE TO REPRODUCE. It would be impossible in the limits of this article to attempt to give even the outline or substance of Professor Gildersleeve’s scholarly and delightful paper on Classical Philology in Amer- ica. It was in the nature of personal reminiscences of his own connection with classical study, of the men he had known and the methods he had seen adopted or discarded or amend- ed. and of his own view of the future of classical learning in this country. He said he was proud of what Yale had done for American scholarship. - “Yale is to be congratulated,” he ad- ded. “‘that she has been true to her ancient faith and has proved her faith by her works.” He added that Phelps Hall was a testimony to the loyalty of this University to the prin- ciples which cannot with safety be discarded in any educational system.” The significance of the opening of the rooms of the Classical Club of Yale in Phelps Hall went far beyond the lines of this University and even of Ameri- can education; the event had even an international significance. Schools abroad would observe with the great- est interest this indication of the po- sition of American scholarship |to- wards the Classics. Professor Gildersleeve said that a new era had begun for classical study, that it was on a surer foundation than ever; that the security’of its future was indicated by the fact that the study in Greece itself, on the very sites themselves of that civilization, was be- ing given a more and more important place and constantly considered more and more indispensible to the equip- ment of a_ classical school. ‘There Should be no despairing, he _- said, from the signs of the day, for the re- public of classic letters. THE RECEPTION. After Professor Gildersleeve’s ad- dress, the invited guests to the num- her of about three hundred—one hun- dred from out of town, and two hun- dred from our University circle—gath- ered in the rooms on the upper floor. of Phelps Hall, and were received by representatives of the Club. After this reception an informal reception was given by the Graduate Club to the zentlemen from abroad. The Classical Club and the Univer- sity itself were honored by the pres- ence of many distinguished scholars from other’ universities and cities. Professors Allen, Smith and White, from Harvard, Mrs. President Irving, and Miss Professor Chapin of Welles- ley, and Professors Adams, G. D. Lord and Moore from Dartmouth, and oth- ers who are mentioned elsewhere. Mc- W eee xX Gill University of Montreal, Bowdoin College, the Chicago University, Cor- nell, and Wells College, were the most remote institutions represented. Sev- eral distinguished masters of prepa- ratory schools were present, as Dr. Bancroft of Andover, Dr. Keep of Norwich, and Dr. Mackenzie of Law- renceville. Classical scholars wel- comed also the Yale poet, Mr. Sted- man, of °53, and the publishers, Mr. Holt of *62, and Mr. Plimpton of Am- herst. Mr. Sheffield Phelps cf sented the family of the Phelps Hall. : °86, repre- giver of THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GATHERING. “The gathering of so large a body of scholars,’”’ says an authority, who attended the exercises, ‘“‘testifies clear- ly to both personal and official good- will for the claSsical scholarship and instruction of Yale. Not all of the kindly and generous words of com- mendation need be pressed to their full meaning, but the Classical Club of Yale could not but be cheered and encouraged by the appreciative thoughts which were expressed. With all honor to the sreat names of the past—Kingsley, Woolsey, ‘Thacher, Hadley, Packard—the Classical De- partment of Yale was never before so strong as it is to-day. Never before were sO many advanced couses of in- struction offered, and taken by so many well equipped students. Never pefore were the relations between the different officers of the department so close and friendly. Never before was the apparatus of instruction so good.” VISITORS PRESENT. “Among those present at the recep- tion given in the new quarters of the Classical Club were: ‘Dr. J. M. Early, Bryn Mawr; Prof. A, Harkness, Brown; Dr. C. H. Young, Columbia; F. D. Allen, Harvard: Prin- cipal C. F. P. Bancroft, Andover: E. D. Burton, University of Chicago; C. D, Adams, Dartmouth; Principal H. P. Amer, Phillips Exeter; S. G. Ashmore, Union College; Rev. J. W. Backus, of the Yale Corporation; H. W. Raird, University of City of New York: F. F. Beckwith, Trinity: C. A. Buffum, Williston Seminary; Miss A. C. Chapin, Wellesley; O. P. Conant of New York: E. P. Coy, Hotchkiss School: D. A. Kennedy, ’84; G. E. Dimock, ’74: D. M. Fernard, Wiliams; H. Gibbons, Un'ver- sity of Pennsylvania: Dr. Gaskie Har- rison of New York; S. Hart, Trinity: H. Hewitt, Williams: H. Holt, New York; H. Houghton, Bowdoin: Presi- dent Mrs. Irvine of Wellesley: R. P. Keep, Norwich Academy: C. F. Kent. Brown; Charles Knapp. Bernard: G. M. Lane, Boston; W. C. Lawton, Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn; M’ss Abbey Leaeh, Vassar; Miss Lord, Wellesley: G. D. Lord, Dartmouth; F. S. Morrison, Hartford; F. W. Nicholson, Wesleyan: J. C. MacKenzie, Lawrenceville: E. T. Merrill, Wesleyan; F. G. Moore, Dart- mouth; #. D. Perry, Columbia: J. M. Paton, Wesleyan; G. A. Plimpton, New York; President Pyncheon of Trinity: W. C. Poland, Brown: Sheffield Phelps, Newark; T. R. Rice, Columbia: R. A. Rice, Williams; JuliuS Sachs. New York; J. B. Sewall, Boston: W. M. Sloan, Princeton; C. LL. Smith, Har- vard; J. H. Thayer, Harvard: Thomas Thacher, New York: F. G. Tisdale, University of New York; Rev. J. H. T'wichell, Hartford; H...M.. Tvler, Smith; J. G. Van Benschoten, Wes- leyan; Miss Louise Waite. Farming- ton; W. R. Ware, Columbia: W. H. Ward, New York; President Warren of Boston University; J. R. Wheeler, Columbia; B. C. Wheeler, Cornell: J. W. White. Harvard and President Waters, Wells College. ABOUT DR. DOERPFELD. Dr. Doerpfeld studied at Basle and Berlin, and arly evinced great fond- ness for mathematics and engineering. For many vears he was the architect of the excavations of Olympia, which began in 1875. Dr. Schliemann, regret- ting his own rash statements which he had ventured in his enthusiasm over the discovery of the graves at My- cenae, gladly availed himself of the scientific knowledge of Dr. Doerpfeld, at Tirynis. Troy, and Crete. In 1886, Dr. Doerpfeld completed the diggings - American School. at Tirynis, and described the work with remarkable exactness in Schlie- mann’s book. In the same year, at an important meeting of the Hellenic So- ciety of London, Eng., Drs. Schlie- mann and Doerpfeld, who had made the trip from athens, convinced their opponents in open debate, and estab- lished the truth of their position. The work at Troy was continued af- ter Professor Schliemann’s death, un- der the supervision of Dr. Doerpfeld, for the first year, at Mrs. Schliemann’s expense, and during the succeeding year by funds furnished by the Ger- man Emperor. It is to Dr.. Doerpfeld that science is principally indebted for knowledge of the prehistoric house and temple, and of Troy and the civili- zation of the Homeric period. It is to Dr. Doerpfeld also, that is owed the most important discovery of the temple on the Acropolis of Athens. For some time he has been contem- plating the publication, in book-form, of the results of his studies relating to the construction of the Greek Theatre. This book is eagerly expected as it will contain some verv radical ideas regarding the use of the raised stage. In 1886, Dr. Doerpfeld was made sec- ond secretary of the German Archae- ological Institute of Athens, and in 1887, first secretary. In all points of classical topography he speaks with authority. Towards his brother ar- chaeologists he has always shown a spirit of generosity. He has kindly in- cluded in his parties through the Pele- ponnesus, the Greek Archipelago and the plain of Troy, members of the In the winter of his lectures at Athens, in the presence of the monuments and temples, studying the remains of Grecian architecture, Americans have heen first to reap the fruits of his labors. A special feature of his addresses here is their illustrations, which have never before been presented. His style is lucid, and his expression and enun- ciation are measured, distinct and clear, and of all men in the world he is the best qualified to speak author- itively on the subjects of Troy, the Acropolis, Mycence and Olympia. —___+4—_____- Directors of the Ameriean School at Athens Meet. A formal meeting of the directors of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens was held in the new quarters of the Classical Club in Phelps Hall, on Friday, last. The meeting waS called mainly to meet Dr. Doerpfeld who has been here for the last few days. Dr. Doerpfeld was formally presented to the committee, and made a few remarks concerning the American School, its work in re- lation to and in comparison with the other schools there. Reports were made from the various committees and acted upon. The professorship of art in the school at Athens, held by Prof- fessor Waldstein of England, was allowed to lapse next summer. The final publication of all discoveries of the school at Argos was referred to the executive committee. The meeting was one of the largest and most en- joyable of any ever held. Highteen members were present. —————seo—____—_ : As Reported in Paris. [Le Temps.] Mr. Bryan le candidat democrate ar- gentiste, s'est mis a dos la jeunesse universitaire des Etats-Unis en quali- fiant notamment les étudiants de la celébre université d’Yale de ‘‘fils de ploutocrates, gaspillant les biens mal acquis de leurs parents et consommant la richesse produite par d’autres.” Les étudiants d’Yale et des Etats-Unis en genéral ont mal pris la chose et vont en bandes porter le désordre et le vacarme dans les meetings bryanistes. A Vexemple de ceux d’Yale, les éléves du collége de Wabash ont essayé samedi d’interrompre un de ces meetings qui se tenait a Cromfordsville (Indiana). mais ils ont été expulsés et ceux qui n’ont pas réussi a s’échapper assez vite ont été fort maltraités. On prétend que des argen- tistes dans leur surexcitation auraient pietiné et déchiré un drapeau américain.
