This Shows To What An Extent
Philology Is Cultivated In Germany; Indeed, It Is Quite A Passion And A
Very Useful One It Is.
I know that many people regard it as a loss of time,
and say that you acquire only new
Words, and no new ideas; but I deny this.
I maintain that every new language learned gives you new ideas, as it puts
you at once more au fait of the manners and customs of the people, which
can only be thoroughly learned by reading popular authors in their original
language: for there are several authors of the merit of whose style it is
impossible to form an adequate idea in a translation, however correct and
excellent it be. Indeed I wonder that the study of the German language is
not more attended to in England, France, and Italy; but to the English,
methinks, it is indispensable. All the customs and manners of Europe are
taken from the German; all modern Europe bears the Teutonic stamp. We are
all the descendants of the Teutonic hordes who subjugated the Roman Empire
and changed the face of Europe; 'tis they who have given and laid down the
grand and distinguishing feature between modern Europe and ancient Europe
and Asia: I mean the respect paid to women. To what nation, I say, is due
the chivalrous respect to women which is the surest sign of civilization,
and which was unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans, except to the
Germans, who even in their most uncivilized state paid such veneration to
their women as to consult them as oracles on all occasions and to admit
them to their councils?
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 527 of 558
Words from 143164 to 143442
of 151859
