University of Virginia Library

VIII.—HISTORY AND GENERAL LITERATURE.

PROFESSOR HOLMES.

This School is divided into two distinct Classes, one of History,
the other of Literature. To the former, two lectures in
the week are devoted; to the latter, one; but exercises in literary
composition are required from the members of the class.
Either study may be pursued separately. A diploma will be
granted for proficiency in both branches; a certificate of distinction
for proficiency in one.

HISTORY.

In the Historical Class the successions, revolutions and various
aspects of the principal nations of the world are considered
in such a manner as to afford a general view of the gradual and
ever enlarging progress of political and social organizations,
from the rude types of savage life to the complicated forms of
modern freedom. Institutions and laws are discussed as the
natural manifestations of the different phases of society; and

an attempt is made to discover and elucidate the conditions of
historical advancement, and to reduce the changes of nations
and governments to the operation of regular principles.

In the absence of appropriate text books, the following will
be employed for study and reference:

Schmitz's Manual of Ancient History; Smith's History of
Greece; [Schmitz's History of Rome]; Gibbon Abridged by
Smith; Guizot's History of Civilization; Taylor's Manual of
Modern History.

For reference: Long's Ancient Atlas; College Atlas; Blair's
Chronology, Bohn's edition.

LITERATURE.

In the Class of Literature, attention is confined to the study
of the English Language and its Literature, including the general
principles of Criticism. The origin, growth and philological
peculiarities of the language will be considered; the various
influences, domestic and external, by which it has been brought
to its present condition will be explained; the lives of its most
eminent authors will be studied in their historical order and connection;
and the critical examination and appreciation of their
principal productions will occupy the larger portion of the time.
In addition to this, the Class will be required to practice literary
composition.

Text books are more deficient in this branch of study than
even in history. The following will be used for the present:

Spalding's History of English Literature; Jamieson's Grammar
of Rhetoric; Montgomery's Lectures on Poetry; Hume's
History of England, abridged; Shaw's Outlines of General
Literature; Shakspeare; Aiken's British Poets.