SCHOOL OF HISTORY, GENERAL LITERATURE AND
RHETORIC.
Prof. Holmes.
This School is divided into two distinct classes—one of History
and one of Literature and Rhetoric. To each, two Lectures in the
week are regularly devoted; but exercises in literary composition are
required from the members of the Literary Class. Each study may
be pursued separately.
Class of 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 and connected view of the progress of
political and social organizations. Institutions and laws are noted a
the manifestations of different phases of society; an attempt is made
to discover and clucidate the conditions of historical advancement,
and to refer the changes of nations and governments to the operation
of regular principles.
Text Books.—Schmitz's Manual of Ancient History; Smith's History
of Greece; Gibbon, Abridged by Smith; Taylor's Manual of Modern
History.
For Reference—Long's Ancient Atlas; Appleton's (College) Atlas,
or Chambers' Atlas; Blair's Chronology (Bohn's edition.)
Class of Literature and Rhetoric.
In the class of Literature and Rhetoric, the English Language,
English Composition, Rhetoric, and the English Classics, with the
History of English Literature, are studied.
The origin, growth and philological peculiarities of the Language
are considered; the various influences, domestic and external, by
which it has been brought to its present condition are explained: the
general principles of Rhetoric and Criticism are taught; the lives of
the most eminent authors in the language are treated in their historical
order and connection; and the critical examination and appreciation
of their chief productions occupy much of the time of the
student. The class will also be required to practice Literary Composition.
Text Books—Jamieson's Grammar of Rhetoric; Shaw's Complete
Manual of English Literature, Ed. Smith and Tuckerman; Student's
Specimens of English Literature, Ed. Shaw and Smith, London.
Shakespeare's Complete Works; Milton's Poetical Works.
For instruction in Oratory or spoken composition, those portions
of Dr. Broadus's Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons,
which are appropriate to secular purposes, are specially commended.
The study of Angus's Handbook of the English Language
is also recommended.
