ucation for those who have
no internal and no external disqualification; and that rule, becoming a
fixed and central point in the system, becomes also the point around which
all others may be grouped.

_Mr. Gladstone to Sir S. Northcote_

_Nov. 12, 1861._--The letter I wrote to Lyttelton about the classical
education suggested topics, which as you justly perceive are altogether
esoteric. They have never to my knowledge been carefully worked out, and I
think they well deserve it; but clearly your report is not the place. I
will not say you are not prudent in suggesting that you should not even
give an opinion upon the great question: What is the true place of the old
classical learning in the human culture of the nineteenth century? I am
far from venturing to say the contrary. But one thing I do think, namely,
that it is desirable that, as far as may be, the members of the commission
should have some answer to that question in their minds, and should write
their report with reference to it. For centuries, through the lifetime of
our great schools this classical culture has been made the _lapis
angularis_ of all secular culture of the highest class. Was this right or
was it wrong, aye or no? I think it much to be desired that the commission
should, if they will, proceed upon the affirmative or negative of that
proposition, and should also make their choice for the former. This would
be a long note to their report; but it need not be distinctly and
separately heard in it. Such is my notion. As to particulars I have little
to say that is worth hearing; but I think these three things. First, that
we give much too little scope for deviation from what I think the normal
standard to other and useful branches, when it has become evident that the
normal standard is inapplicable; just as was the case in Oxford before the
reform of the examinations, or let me rather say the new statutes.
Secondly, I am extremely jealous of any invasion of modern languages which
is to displace classical culture, or any portion of it in minds capable of
following that walk. (I take it that among the usual modern tongues
Italian has by far the greatest capacity for strict study and scholarship;
whereas it is the one least in favour and the whole method of dealing with
them is quite alien to strict study.) Lastly, I confess I grieve over the
ignorance of natural history which I feel in myself and believe to exist
in others. At some time, in some way, m