Laudator Temporis Acti

J.B. Bury (1861-1927), "Compulsory Greek," Fortnightly Review 50 (1891) 811-821 (at 811):

The barbarians and the apostate headmasters and the deluded dons, who wish to abolish compulsory Greek, urge that it is utterly useless. For that is what their statement comes to, however they may endeavour to disguise, refine, or qualify what they really mean. But there is no need whatever that they should try to soften their impeachment. For what they say is perfectly true.

Id. (at 813; footnote omitted):

Greek is useless; but its uselessness is the very strongest reason for its being a compulsory subject in the University course. For the true function of a University is the teaching of useless learning. And if she attempts to do anything else, she is going beyond her proper province. If she be seduced into running after the useful, she is simply denying herself. If she sets before herself other objects than learning for its own sake, she is abandoning her birthright; nay, she is changing herself into something different from a University.