New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-04-22
LycetlIts Lectures.

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DR.. Baird delivered another Of his instructive and
highly interesting lectures at the Lyceum Hail. last
evening The attendance--not what it should have
been-was nevertheless, very good, and the atten-
ton paid to what was said shew the regard that was
entertained for the opinions of the lecturer.
The lecture was prefaced by some additional re-
marks concerning the Russian Empre--its population
under Peter the Great being only 100000. Its
increase has principally been by conquest although
by the conquests of Peter and his successors up to
the time Of the Empress Annie very little added
in this way. In the reign of Catharine the Great,
Russia obtained portion of Poland, but not enough
to make up what Poland had formerly wrested from
Russia. In the three partitions, Russia only got
back what had formerly been wrested from her,
Catharine seized the Crimea, and in 1888, the year
of our Revolution, the reign Of the Krim Tartars
ended "A descendant of Ghengis Khan is now liv-
ing in the Crimea. The Bonaparte influences, sub
sequent to Austertz and jena, were recounted with
their political results, and the great movements
towards Moscow, which, not being properly con-
ducted were unsuccessful.
Mr. Douglas, the Little Giant, was the victim of a
great Roorback, when he was informed that Moscow
was never burned The city was twothirds destroyed
although it is now rebuilt, so that no traces of the
the French from Moscow was then described, and the
seventies that attended Improperly depicted. Russas
reward for her valor was Poland, and shortly after
Finland. Nicholas added little to the territory of his
country, but his predecessors very much. Alexander
wasra noble man, and desired at one time to give
Poland a constitutional government. He did much,
but not SO much as Nicholas as in his turn the son
of Nicholas will do more than he did.
Il uJI,. 1c
Russia and, SO soon as the present Emperor has an
opportunity to turn his attention to such things he
will carry out those schemes which he initiated through
the means Of American engineers. Very few of the
serfs, of whom there are 100000, can read !; but
every thing that can be, is being done for the educa-
| ton Of the masses. l=.:
The various universities were said to be numerous
and thorough, and exceedingly well attended. The
religion of the country is Greek, kind of mild
Catholicity, although they have no regard for the
Catholics. There are many Jews in Russia. One
venerable old fellow who was called father Abraham,
thought the world square and asked the lecturer
when he met him, how he climbed over the edges
The Turkish empire has about 100000 square miles,
or, about one tenth that of Russia.
In reply to question: the lecturer stated that there
never had been any religious prosecutions whatever,
to his knowledge. Like other governments, they
wish no religious excitement but to have things in
st1tA qlo .5@
Leaving Russia, the lecturer changed to Turkey,
in Europe, country not quite so large as France,
and populated by l5,OoO,0oo people, where there
might as well be 5O,O0o,OOO supported. Greece,
which adjoins Turkey is worthy Of the high classic
glory it enjoys. All the high civilization that Europe
enjoys is of Grecian origin. OF three of the six fine
never had any equal. The other two-painting and
musc-we have no knowledge of. Cicero went to
Greece for his education and has recorded his opinion
of it in his Grafton Pro Archias. The city of Athens
is magnificent even in its ruins and brings back to
the minds of men the history of the great deeds per-
formed when it was capitol and worlds emporium.
The old Platonic, Socratic and other schools of
Athens, were alluded to and briefly but clearly
described. @
Athens went down, however, and Byzantium arose
as the chief Of the Old Worlds capitas-C onstanti-
nope containing in its three great departments about
100000 inhabitants. The city is chiefly built of
wood, and burns down every year or two. It is not
what used to be- but is yet glorious The history of
the country from the 18th century was succinctly
reviewed; the history of the crusaders and the differ
emit entanglements connected Herewith, seriously
aheeteu oleeee' 0ooH ailer dleeGe WAS cou4uereu,
Turkey began to fall apart and when Don John
defeated them on the sea-subsequently defeated at
Navarino-the nation began to fall apart. In 1419
they marched an army to Vienna, and were defeated
by John sobieski. There are no stages, no tele
graphs there now and it takes about forty days to
travel over the whole country. Like the Hbernian
who said he was Irishman, but had the misfortune
to be born out of his native land every one speaking
that language is proud Of his nativity. Some general
remarks closed the lecture, which, though long, was
exceedingly interesting.