Text: N. P. Willis (?), Notice of P. S. Casserly, A Complete System of Latin Prosody, Evening Mirror (New York), January 28, 1845, vol. 1, no. 96, p. 2, col. 6

[page 2, column 6, continued:]

Literary.

A Complete System of Latin Prosody for the Use of Schools, Colleges, and Private Learners on a Plan entirely new. By P. S. CASSERLY, & CO. 18mo, pp. 145. New York: Cassedy & Sons, 108 Nassau St.

Did any body ever hear a French friend — possessed with the conviction of his complete knowledge of English on the strength of three month's practice — undertake to read aloud Shakspeare or Byron? The smash which the adventurous Gaul is sure to make of the wonderful music of the great Dramatist's verse, or of Byron's strong rhythm, is about equal to the execution done on Latin verse by ninety-nine in every hundred of the classical scholars turned out yearly by our schools and colleges. Clearly this is to be regretted. If it be worth while to read Virgin and Horace, it is also worth while to learn to read them decently. Nor will it be trouble thrown away. There is in the verses of the two Augustan gentlemen much in the way of cadences and harmonies, which to a cultivated ear is music of the rarest and finest; but, finally, because it is thus rare and fine, rude ears have no sense of it. To this higher sphere of enjoyment, Prosody is the gate; the greater the pity that it is left unopened or even untried by so many instructors of our youth.

It seems to us, perhaps, because we wish it, that there begins to be an improvement in this respect here. At least, we know of a few schools, where they do not believe a boy is taught Latin, without his knowing how to read it. Mr. Casserly's publication we regard as another evidence of the growing feeling for reform; as we are sure it will be found an efficient means to that desirable end. It is the fruit of his some twenty-five years’ experience as a classical teacher, — is brief, comprehensive and comprehensible, — is marked pleasantly by much seal and enthusiasm for his art, — and altogether strikes us as the best book extant, to teach one to read Latin verse with gentlemanly correctness — that is, as its makers meant it to be read.