New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-18
SKETCHES OF LECTURES.
The Last Gladintorinl Exhibition NJ Rome.


The Last Giadirtorful Exhibition n Rome.
BY HON. JOHN r. HALE
An immense audience assembled &C the Tab
ernace Wednesday evening to listen 10 tue regular
weekly lecture Of the Popular Course which de-
hyered BY ex. Senator HALE, Of New Hampshire The
subject Of bic discourse The Last Glaiia,o-L TX.
hibiiion al Rome and the unreserved and frcqusu,
manifestations Of applause from the audience testified
TO the deep interest OF the subject and the able and
kfsctory manner with which IL was treated. Wide
and comprehensive as was the subject il s~eps
with the thoroushness of master mind analysed with
scutsness and every phase developed with great bril-
hsncy and eloqueDce Of language. There also
rich vein of humorous satire pefmssting the entire
composition, which was deeply relishel by the de-
lighted audience.
In commencing. the lecturer remarked that the
ce.sicn CT events IS unoldcd by history in he pro-
gress OF human afirs generally presents to OBJ
servson etcts rather than The Of some
of the most astonishing occurrences which have ar
rested the attention and received the admiration
ecrston Of the age in which they have BEEN az well
of succeeding times has not untrequenhy been minute
in its character obscure ts origin, snd silent and un-
obtrusive in its progress till the development Of its
consequences has secured that observation which Is
otherwise would have engaged. The seeds Of decsy,
which moment of thoughess imprudence may have
implanted in the physical constitution, excite no alarm
so long as there is no outward manifestation OF their
existence But when they begin 70 paint by faint yet
Visible hues on the cheek Of the child the wife of our
affection the indication of rapid and
vital DEVELOPMENT we for the hst time discover the
cause and what we now so hopelessly depore. had
long ago TRANSFERRED and left its sad consequences be-
hind.
Az in the physical in the moral and political const
buttons Great changes marking and distinguishing the
age in which they occur-openng new channels for
thought and giving direction 10 human events-hsve
generally had their approach heralied by sny extra
ordinary outws manifestation and it s for this
that causts however obscure and but rarely srrsung
he attention OF men, account OF their minutness,
that history compelled TO deal with tangible facts aud
circumstances in order to present a connected record
of events and must resort 10 conjecture only when /.
would explain. philosophicsly, the means by which
there results have been effected Indeed, complaint
has sometimes been made against history that has been
teo minute and particular in presenting prominent
events, such the battles which have been touyh and
the intrgues OF courts regardless OF any influences
which have been Instrumental in eeysting the condition
of msnkind rather than those more personal occur
of private life IL Will probably appear how
ever, considering the subject Of my lecture this
evening" that this complaint IL more specOus than just
for history must be a complete record Of events. Be-
sides history would be altogether too voluminous l.
were made up OF the acts OF private individuals in the
ordnary walks of life. But Il wih be doubted whether
thie charge well founded in truth, for IA the forest
which delights the eye OF the visitor is not alto
gether made OF stslwart oaks aud sky.resching
pines, but has beneath all these many beautiful
flowers Of sweetest fragrance, and richest coor TO re-
ward the search those whose taste may send om
such erGndsso along the path Of human destiny sreto
be found many of those quiet and unpretendng acts OF
humble and private life which have exerted an impor
tsnt and lasting influence on human condition. Here
may be found Friendship, which u proof against the
chilling influences of adversely, or the camor OF popu
lar Indignation. Patriotism which holds nothing save
integrity too dear to sacrifice for ones country or
Philanthropy, ever ready 10 surrender sefinerest or
comfort the good of mankind One OF these events,
occurring many centuries since occupying but very
obscure place in history, but exhibiting the highest and
nobles traits Of character ever illustrated in the annals
OF history propose to bring before you this evening
would remark however, in commencing. that the pro
cesees by which society has gradually advanced from
ancient bsrbarsn TO modern civilization, refinement
ana knowledge, hes not always been IN uniform pro-
gress, and Advancement. The developments and al.
vancements Of one age have not always been followed by
corresponding progress In the next. la the contest
which every improvement Is compelled 10 carry on
with the pre- existing arrangement before it Ia acknow
edged by the public mind It's severes struggles not
In personal conflict but IL Is in Graduating from the
public mind those old habits which TO be met and
oyerthrown.
Passing by numerous array of events Illustrative of
the truth OF these remarks let US for few moments
cur 10 that most interesting period Of history when
Christianity first working among the Roman people
ana insttuting those wonderful change and suppant
ing all the religions of the State. Early in the fourth
century OF the Christian ers the Emperor Constantine
appear ed the champion OF the Christian religion IL
early the year 3l3 that an ect was made pro-
claiming 10 the people OF the restoration OF their
lands and propery which had been connscsted 9th
erwse uni Justly taken from them. Free and absolute
federation Of Christianity was proclaimed with the de
sen 10 secure the peace and advance the prosperity OF
the people From this time, with the exception of pc.
Rod Of between two and three years from s6l TO 36]
Christianity the religion publicly progressed by the
Emperore well the people But, Notwithstanding
tLs publc profession by the Emperors thew sbnittel
to the cremony Of paying homage to the Pagan rei
gon; and notwithstanding this Imperial sanction Of
Christianity Psganism was publicly protested in the
Senate. And, late as 375, than four hundred
Heather temples OF worship were open in the City OF
ROme. About the year 35i, the Emperor Theodosius
put the question in the Senate shall the religion of
Jupiter that OF Christ be tho religion of the Senate
OF Rome 2 Christianity established, and in a few
years the Heathen temples were overthrow aud de.
sIoyed But although the Christian Selion recog.
nized by the Emperor and the people Of Rome the IN.
human snd barbarous gadstorial exhibitions we're attn
tolerated
The place where these exhibitions occurred was au
Amphihester, tie Olsseum, commenced by Flayiu.
Vespasan. aud completed by his II covered an area
of about i've acres, and built In the form OF an elm
sis, vhose cODjrgato diameter or minor axis /, In
the transverse, or major axis, about five 10 six
the length through from outside 10 outside of the
external well, being 6l5 feet and the breadth IN
the came extent 5l3; while the height was I6J feet
end it was capable Of holding $1,000 people There
seventy six entrances 10 tue buding for specta
tore, and two for the GlaGis,ors Thousands OF wild
beasts were here sacrificed The Gladiators were of
nsly csptyea taken in war, slaves or conieed Grim
mas and combines they were the private property Of
In S3l twenty-five couples Of Gladiator.
fought II this amphthester The origin OF this custom,
Of Offering the blood Of human victims 20 Rppease the
ol deceased fresds IS buried in the depths OF an
dquiiy Ia the Had we have description of AcbiIe,
Offering twelve Tfojans 10 the shade of Pstroclus:
"A hundred feet in length, & hundred wide
Tie glowing structure spreads every sda.
lilgL on thu top the manly they lay
And weiLied sheep and sable oxen say:
Achilles covered with their Ia, the dead
And the piled victims round the body ,1rsaA.
Then jars OF honey and Of fragrant oil
SuspeIds around low. bending Ter the pile
fCuT spugGtly coLIseEs, with q deadly moan
Pour forth their lives, and on the pyre are throw,
o. nine large dogs, domestic at h!s beard
Fall TWO, selected 10 attend their lord.
Then l2st ofa, and horrible 70 tell,
Sad sacrifice twelve rroj.n captiges fell
On these the rage OF fire victorious preys
Involves, and JOINS them in enc common blaze
smesTd with the bloody rites, no stands on high
AID calls the spiris with dreadful cry:
All bail, Patzoclus let thy yengeful Ghost