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32 CHRISTIAN GREECE AND LIVING GREEK. stead of edUrra, and the word aXixriop, which was unknown in the Attic. The Athenians during the classical period did by no means speak the pure and fine Attic of Plato and Demosthenes; this can be shown by quotations from some old writers and also by inscriptions. It is most probable that some elements from old dialects have entered into the Attic and later on into the xoiVT). The literary Greek language of to-day owes its existence, in part at least, to the exertions of the great patriot Korai's. Although the party of the xadapttTTai and the party of the xobdiarai both stood up against Korais, the power of history, which was on Korais *s side, was too strong for both parties, as we have seen. AdariavTio? Koparj<i was bom April 27th, 1747, in Smyrna. From early youth he devoted himself to the study of old and new lan- guages. In obedience to his father's wishes, he followed a mercantile career during the years 1772-78, without, however, neglecting the sciences. From 1782-88 he studied medicine in Montpellier and established himself as a practis- ing physician in Paris. From there he worked incessantly for the education of his compatriots, and endeavored to awaken a favorable opinion of