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LIGHT-LINE PHONETIC HANDWRITING.
WRITING EXERCISE.
English Literature.
It cannot be doubted that English literature is beyond all comparison the amplest, most various, and most splendid literature which the world has ever seen; and it is enough to say of the English language that it is the language of that literature. Greek literature compares with English as Homer compares with Shakespere—that is as infantile with adult civilization. It may further be said of the English language that it is a native tongue of nations which are preeminent in the world by force of character, enterprise, and wealth, and whose political and social institutions have a higher moral interest and greater promise than any which mankind has hitherto invented. To the original creations of English genius are to be added translations into English of all the masterpieces of other literatures, sacred and profane. It is a very rare scholar who has not learned much more about the Jews, the Greeks and the Romans through English than through Hebrew, Greek or Latin.—Professor Elliot.
