The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-13
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE AT THE ATHEHlzU,

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE AT THE ATHENizUm
The opening lecture before the AthenBum was de.
livered on Thursday evening .last, by the Rev T
V. Moore. Subject-the character, life, and action
of Socrates, the A,henian philosopher. Notwitt.
standing the misty and Indictment nature Of the
evening, there was highly respectable audience
in atendance-who listened to the graceful, mellif
luous diction- and finished address of the
talented speaker, with the most profound attention
aad highest qualification. Mr.. Ms earnest and i'm.
pressive manner, coupled with felicto Is imagery,
reminded US greatly of the action, emphasis
aud eloquence of distinguished Northern pulpit
contemporary and tavorite lecturer, Rev DR.. Cheev-
ef We refer to Mr. Cs lectures which we heard
with delight, upon "Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress -
We were glad to notice the intellectual Gu! .
tenances Of ladies and gentlemen, whom it was
our pleasure to observe during the last lecture
season, constant and interested attendants upon
the different series. |. is to be hoped that our
young men and ladies generally will, during the
present season, favor the Atheneun Lectures with
TIER presence; we feel satisfied tina. the ben fit
which they will thus derive, will amply reward
them for their trouble and attention.
Prior TO close analysis of the peculiarites of
Socrates, the Rev Lecture gave general viow Cf
the intellectual and social position of Athens at
the time in which the great philo sopher flourish d,
and also of Il most marked developments of &C.
lion ia the latter Socrates, one of the most won
derfu intellectual phenomena OF ancient TOO.
dern times born IN the fourth year OF the 77th
Olym piad 466 years before Christ, on or about the
| 10Th day of May. At very early age he was a
sculptor, the profession OF his father, aud it
said that some OF the products OF Dis chsel adorned
| the Acrosols At the age OF II he applied hmse (
closely to the study Of the natural sciences, more
ry to the study OF ethics, to TIE practise
and doctrines of men socially and morally and the
things of common life. He lived in most remarAa.
bic period, one of great national glory and prodi.
gous mental activity, when the sp'endor and predi-
eality of Pevicls had wasted the treasury mpcyer
shsd the State and the intellectual conflicts of the
| sophsts were most powerful influential and con.
| iinuous ia motern free States this reat mental
| activity would have been expended IN the indus.
| trial ana commercial pursuits Of life, at that aae
| /. was developed in the close discussions Of fues
| tions of political and metaphysical philosophy -
Socrates took very speedily most active part Ia
these discussions He possessed no ordinary
| ture. With body OF unusual vigor and capable
| of making the most incredible exertions and a
| mind clear and powerful In lis deductions and
judgments, be would grasp with the most profound
and intricate questions of the day and laooriously
trace them through all their windngs, aud ex pose
inconsistency, incorrectness and false principles
| Other men had nobler impulses, commonly called
| better hearted, but no man had larger develop.
/ nent OF natural conscience, or a clearer percep
| ton Of the right and uus TIE whole tendency Of
/ the times In which he lived against right And
II against these talse teachings that the vas.
| powers Of Socrates were perpetaaiy and suceeIs-