The Relation of Latin to Practical Life: Concrete Illustrations in the Form of an Exhibit

by Frances Ellis Sabin

In these days of confusion as to the real ends of education and contention as to the meaning of terms employed in defining them, one fact at least is clear and beyond any question of dispute, namely, that the modern world is insisting upon a definite answer from educators as to the value of various studies now in the curriculum of schools and colleges. It is asking from teachers in clear and unmistakable terms such questions as these, Of what use is your subject? What is its bearing upon the affairs of practical life? And however foolish the questions may seem and despite the difficulties of answering them in terms of the practical a word that has as many meanings as there are ideals of life every teacher must be ready to respond. The supporters of vocational studies looking directly to commercial ends have long had their answer ready, and in a form so striking and concrete that the modern world has no difficulty in understanding it. For various reasons, also, teachers of the sciences, history, English, mathematics, and modern languages have had comparatively little difficulty in convincing the world that their subjects are useful. But the task has been harder for the teacher of the classics, not because he had a less useful contribution to make to the cause of education, but because it lent itself less readily to definition in terms which the man in the street would regard as in any sense practical. And so in many cases he has not answered it at all, preferring rather to take the attitude of the pagan worshipers at Ephesus who met the claims of the new religion by gathering around the statue of their goddess and shouting in the ears of the Christians. Great is Diana of the Ephesians .without stopping to answer the questions, Just how is she great? What can she really do for those who follow her?

140 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2010

About the author

1870-1943