Part 29

CHAPTER VI.—The Kingdom of Greece before the War of 1897.—Continuation of the Hostility towards the Greeks Since a Part, Part Only of the Nation was Set Free

CHAPTER VII.—Greek as the International Language of Physicians and Scholars in General.—The Necessity of Introducing Better Methods of Teaching Greek in Schools in Order that Greek may become the International Language of Scholars

EPILOGUE.—Calumniations Against the Greeks of To-day and the Refutation of These

List of Subscribers EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS AND REVIEWS IN JOURNALS.

His GRACE, ARCHBISHOP CORRIGAN, New York, wrote the day after having received the book: “Dear Doctor, Many thanks for your great courtesy in sending me a copy of your charming work, ‘Christian Greece and Living Greek.’ I have already begun its perusal, the chapter on the proper ‘Pronunciation of Greek’ naturally inviting and claiming immediate attention. I think you laugh Erasmus out of court. Now I must begin, if leisure be ever afforded me, to dip into Greek again, to learn to pronounce your noble language correctly. Congratulating you on your success, and with best wishes, I am, dear Doctor,

“Very faithfully yours,

“M. A. CORRIGAN, ARCHBISHOP.”

DR. ACHILLES ROSE.

S. STANHOPE ORRIS, Professor of Greek in Princeton University, who was Director of the American School at Athens from 1888 to 1889, who kindly revised the manuscript, wrote:

“I think that the impression which the manuscript has made on my mind will be made on the minds of all who read your book—that it is the production of an able, laborious, enthusiastic, scholarly man, who deserves the gratitude and admiration of all who labor to perpetuate an interest in the language, literature, and history of Greece.”

Again, after having received the book, the same Philhellene writes to the author: “Professor Cameron, my colleague, who has glanced at the book, pronounces it eloquent, as I also do, and unites with me in ordering a copy for our University Library.”

HON. EBEN ALEXANDER, former United States Minister to Greece, Professor of Greek, North Carolina University: “My dear Dr. Rose, The five copies have been received, and I enclose check in payment…. I am greatly pleased with the book. It shows everywhere the fruit of your far-reaching studies, and your own enthusiastic interest has enabled you to state the facts in a strongly interesting way. I hope that it will meet with favor. I wonder whether you have sent a copy to the King? He would like to see it, I know…. I am sincerely your friend.”

WILLIAM F. SWAHLER, Professor of Greek, De Pauw University, Greencastle, Ind., writes: “I received the book today in fine order, and am much pleased so far as I have had time to peruse the same.”

THOMAS CARTER, Professor of Greek and Latin, Centenary College, Jackson, La., writes: “Am highly delighted with Dr. Rose’s work; have not had the time to read it all yet, but from what I have been able to get over, am more than ever convinced of his accurate learning, his profound scholarship, and his devoted enthusiasm for his beloved Hellas.”

A. V. WILLIAMS JACKSON, Professor of Oriental Languages, Columbia University, New York: “The welcome volume arrived this morning and is cordially appreciated. This note is to express my thanks and to extend best wishes for continued success.”

MR. JOHN C. PALMARIS, of Chicago: “[Greek: Eugnomonon Eggaen]. Dr. Achilles Rose. Dear Sir, Allow me to express my thanks from the bottom of my heart as a Greek for your sincere love for my beloved country ‘Hellas,’ and to congratulate you for your noble philological and precious work, ‘Christian Greece and Living Greek,’ with the true Gnomikon. ‘It is shameful to defame Greece continually.’ I received to-day the three copies for me and one for my brother-in-law (Prince Rodokanakis), which I despatched immediately to Syra.”

DR. A. F. CURRIER, New York: “Dear Dr. Rose, I received your book with great pleasure. It is very attractively made up, and I am looking forward to the pleasure of reading it. As I get older I am astonished at the charm with which memory recalls history, myth, and poetry in the study of the classics long ago. With sincerest wishes for your success, believe me yours, Philhellenically.”

C. EVERETT CONANT, Professor of Greek and Latin, Lincoln University, Lincoln, III.: “I wish personally to thank you for the effort you are making to set before us Americans the true status of the modern Greek language in its relation with the classic speech of Pericles’ day. With best wishes for the success of your laudable undertaking, I am cordially yours.”

MR. H. E. S. SLAGENHAUP, Taneytown, Md.: “Dr. Achilles Rose. Dear Sir, Your book, ‘Christian Greece and Living Greek,’ reached me this morning. Although it arrived only this morning I have already read the greater part of it. It is a work for which every Philhellene must feel truly grateful to you. Not only do I admire the care, the industry, and the scholarly research which are evident on every page of this valuable exposition of Hellenism and Philhellenism, but I most heartily indorse every sentiment expressed in it. I rejoice that such a book has appeared; I hope it may have a wide influence favorable to the just cause of Hellas; and I pledge myself to render whatever assistance may lie in my power in the furtherance of that cause. The disasters of the past year have in no wise shaken my faith in the Hellenic race; on the contrary, they have increased my admiration for the brave people who undertook a war against such odds in behalf of their oppressed brethren; and I believe that the cause which sustained such regrettable defeats on the plains of Thessaly last year will eventually triumph in spite of opposition.”

FRANKLIN B. STEPHENSON, M. D., Surgeon United States Navy. “United States Marine Corps Recruiting Office, Boston: My dear Doctor, Permit me to write you of my pleasure and satisfaction in reading your excellent book on Christian Greece and Greek; and to express my appreciation of the clear and vivid manner in which you have portrayed the life and work of the Hellenes, who have done so much in preserving and transmitting to us the learning in science and art of the ancient world…. Your reference to the eminent professor of Greek who said that there was ‘no literature in modern Greek worthy of the name,’ reminds me of the remark of a man, prominent in financial and social circles, who told me that there was nothing in Russian to make it worth while studying the language [Dr. Stephenson is a well-known linguist—mastering eight languages, Russian among them]. I wish you all success in the work of letting the light of truth, as to Greek, shine in the minds of those who do not know their own ignorance.”

MORTIMER LAMSON EARLE, Professor Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa., who mastered so well the living Greek language that Greeks of education pronounce their admiration of his elegant style, saying that it is most wonderful how well a foreigner writes their own language: “The book has been duly received, but I have not as yet had time to read all of it. However, I have read enough to know that, though I differ with you in many details, I am heartily in accord with you in earnestly supporting the cause of a people and language to which I am sincerely attached. I am glad that you speak so highly in praise of the Klephtic songs. I hope that your book may do much good.”

LOUIS F. ANDERSON, Professor of Greek, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.: “From my rapid inspection I regard it as superior even to my anticipations. I trust that it will have an extensive sale and corresponding influence. It is the book needed just now. I hope to write more in the future.”

MR. C. MEHLTRETTER, New York: “After due reading of your book I feel it my duty to congratulate you on same. True, you may have received so many congratulatory notes that the layman’s opinion will be of little value. Nevertheless, I can assure you the perusal of your book caused me more pleasure and instruction than any other I heretofore read on the subject. I assure you it will find a prominent place in my library, and any time in future you should again write on any subject consider me one of your subscribers.”

WILLIAM J. SEELYE, Professor of Greek, University of Wooster, Ohio: “Dr. Rose’s book received yesterday. I have already read enough to see that the author is not only full of his subject, but treats it with judicial mind.”

JOSEPH COLLINS, M.D., Professor Post-Graduate School of Medicine, New York: “The chapters of your book that I have read have been entertaining and instructive.”

ISAAC A. PARKER, Professor of Greek and Latin, Lombard University, Galesburg, Ill.: “I wish to say to Dr. Rose that, although I have yet had time only to glance hastily at the book, the few sentences which I have read have interested me very much, and it will give me much pleasure to give it a careful perusal, as I see that it contains much valuable information. The thanks of those interested in Greece and Greek literature are due to Dr. Rose for giving them this book. Praise is due to the printer for his excellent work.”

CHARLES R. PEPPER, Professor Central University, Richmond, Ky.: “Your book, ‘Christian Greece and Living Greek,’ came duly to hand. I am much pleased with it. I hope the interest of the Philhellenes in the United States may be quickened to a livelier degree in Greece and Greek affairs, and that your book may accomplish a good work in putting before the people generally the claims of Hellas to the gratitude, love, and admiration of the civilized world.”

“Christian Greece and Living Greek,” by Dr. Achilles Rose. In view of the Hellenic defeat in the war with Turkey a year ago the future of Greece to many minds is rather vague and clouded. This idea is due to lack of knowledge of Greece history and character. Were Americans more familiar with the character of the Hellenes and their traditions none would doubt that the descendants of those great figures of the heroic age have a mission before them and that this mission will be accomplished in spite of Turkish bullets and the selfishness of the other European powers. Dr. Rose in this volume offers a clear presentation of the condition of Greece at the present time. His work deals not only with the nation, but with the language, and the history of each is traced from its earliest beginnings down to the present time. The reading of this book will afford a much clearer understanding of the causes leading to the war of 1897 than is generally possessed. Of especial interest is an introduction written by one of the best known Greeks now resident in this country, who reviews the causes leading to the great war, and clearly shows the shamefulness of the course pursued by the great European powers in leaving Hellas to her fate. Some of the statements made are significant, notably the following: “If Greece has sinned, it was on the side of compassion for her oppressed children and coreligionists. She is bleeding from every pore of her mutilated body, but there is a Nemesis which sooner or later will overtake those who rejoice now at her defeat and humiliation.” New York: Peri Hellados Publishing Office.