Page:The Celtic Review volume 4.djvu/14

 a conference of Highland educationists it is hardly necessary to say that by the word ‘Culture’ we do not wish to suggest that deteriorated meaning which popularly implies affectation, or pose, or pedantry, conjoined with a contempt or neglect of the practical affairs of life. True culture is practically synonymous with that higher education which implies the steady cultivation of every faculty of the mind, with the result of a full development of the whole nature. Special emphasis is laid on the value of noble literature, in prose and poetry, for this purpose, and, generally, culture implies refinement and elevation of taste, and ripening of those capacities which enable us to appreciate all the best and most precious things in nature and human life.

Many studies co-operate to this desired end. The foundation of all culture is a good sound ordinary education. Not only is this necessary as an equipment for the battle of life, and an essential for success, but also it is true that without a good elementary education there will be no ripening in later years and mental culture will as a rule be meagre and barren. Many have asserted that the Gaelic language is a hindrance rather than a help to success in life, and have scorned the idea that Gaelic can possibly be an instrument of culture. It appears to such that a knowledge of Gaelic has no value, VOL. IV