George Ticknor, Life, letters and journals of George Ticknor
George Hillard, Ed.

[323] our own,—form a subject for instruction much more extensive, and one much more calculated to be generally useful and interesting, than any of those literatures separately.

He then gives a sketch of a course in four divisions, covering ancient and modern literature, poetry, and prose; and in conclusion, he says,—

I have been thus minute in explaining the kind of lectures I have thought of delivering under the second professorship, for three reasons: 1. That the wide extent of the subject being considered, I may be allowed to spread it through more lectures than usually form a course. I should be sorry to be restricted to fewer than sixty. 2. That in consideration of the intimate connection between the different parts of the plan, and the importance of sustaining the attention and interest through the whole, I may be permitted to deliver them all in as short a time as possible. Perhaps four or five in each week during their continuance, and an examination one other day, would not be found oppressive. 3. That, as I have no experience in instruction, my plan may be examined by those who have; since I consider it merely a project, which I shall be more pleased to adapt, in any way, to the practical wants of the University, than to retain it as it is.

I am not aware that any other lectures than such as I have indicated, or some resembling them, would now be useful. At any rate, these are sufficient to occupy me for yet a long time to come; but if, hereafter, others that would naturally fall within my department should seem to be wanted, I shall always hold myself ready to prepare them, as far as my health and talents and knowledge will permit.

Yours very respectfully,

Geo. Ticknor.

The comprehensive plan here sketched for the department of belles-lettres was never carried out. In establishing this professorship, the Corporation had neither specifically defined the duties of the professor, nor known how far those duties were included in other established professorships. When, therefore, Mr. Ticknor thus laid before the President his ideas of what the courses should be, it was found that the Greek classics were assigned to the Greek Professor; and that the Professor of