Product Description
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1893. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Preface to the First Edition xxxv I must not, however, allow myself now to describe the full scope and prospects of an educational institution, such as this Museum; and yet I cannot bring to a close a preface already too long for a description which is too short, without repeating words which I ventured to use ten years agoa on this subject:-- 'With respect to the proposal to add some study of the fundamental arrangements of the natural world to the general education of the place, I fear that if we do not add it, we may live to see, what would be a great national evil, such knowledge substituted for our present system.' The addition has been made; the substitution is, I hope, averted. The further my observation has extended, the more satisfied I am that no knowledge of things will supply the place of the early study of Letters--'literae humaniores.' Recent changes in the French Universities fully confirm this opinion. I do not doubt the value of any honest mental labour. Indeed, since the material working of the Creator has been so far displayed to our gaze, it is both dangerous and full of impiety to resist its ennobling influence, even on the ground that His moral work is greater. But notwithstanding this, the study of language, of history, and of the thoughts of great men, which they exhibit, seems to be almost necessary (as far as learning is necessary at all) for disciplining the heart, for elevating the soul, and for preparing the way for the growth in the young, of their personal spiritual life: while, on the other side, the best corrective to pedantry in scholarship, and to conceit in mental philosophy, is the study of the facts and laws exhibited by Natural Science. 1 See page 39 of 'Remarks on the Extension of Education in the University of Oxford.' Ox...
