The Value of Greek and Latin in English Literature by Arthur Quiller-Couch

I would press the point more rudely upon you, and more particularly, than does Newman. And first, for Latin --

I waive that Rome occupied and dominated this island during 400 years. Let that be as though it had never been. For a further 1,000 years and more Latin remained the common speech of educated men throughout Europe: the "Universal Language. " Greek had been smothered by the Turk. Through all that time -- through the most of what we call Modern History, Latin reigned everywhere. Is this a fact to be ignored by any of you who would value "values"?