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; Hume's History of
England, abridged.

For reference: Long's Ancient Atlas; Appleton's 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. 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; Shaw's Outlines of
General Literature; Shakespeare; Aiken's British Poets.