New-York tribune., 1867-02-07
REW PUBLICATIONS
,,rI rONra TOWpIL LECTURES.

The late President FELTON, was not moro remark
able for his ripe and elegant scholarship than Tor the
gonial facility with which DO presented ITS pest
fruits In popular FORM Without the slightest tinc-
cure Of pedantry or literary hauteur he cherished an
ardent sympathy with the lovers of learning, what
ever their age or their condition Of life, No man.
with or without his large scholastic attainments'
ever had less of the spirit Of the boOk-worm. lie
was no aseetle no reeluse solitary student but
nan familiar with society, fond of conversation
with manners OF singular naturalness and ease oten
eoneeallng the extent Of his knowledge by his exu-
berant gayety. Neither In his lecture-room, nor ID
his intercourse With the world was he ever seen on
ttits he did not affect what is called the dignity OF
learning often another name forpriggshness OF cold
ness OF heart oven the square cap and silken robe
which are IN order at the high festivals Of Cam
bridge, were worn by him with an i'll gracei he al
ways breathed more freely in the air ofpleasant com
hanionshp than in the shades of academic seelusion
lie dellghted in the communication Of knowledge,
without the solenmities Of formal instruction lie
had no idea of separate caste guild of men of let
lers preferrng for himself to take his chance Cor so
eety among the throngs Of our busy population,
rather than with the exclusive circles Of literature
The preeept to drink deep OF taste not the PleIan
spring. found no favor IN his eyes. He did not con-
alder "a little Iearnng.a dangerous thing but II
enc could not get afull meal ho regarded mouthtu
~ better than nothing Hence he was warm blend
Of popular education. His intefest in the improve
mont of common schools was scarcely less than IN
the discipline of the University. Every good literary
enterprise commanded bis ardent sympathies; he
loved 10 cooperate with others for the diffusion of
knowledge his heart and hand were always ready
n behalf Of any scheme that promised an increase OF
learning among the people. Few men had sueh
happy gift of imparting the results OF study ana
literary research On the most scholastic themes, he
did not hesitate to. take an apt illustration from
Dickens or Punch, and even play upon words more
suited perhaps to the Philadelphia bar than to the
University, did not come aniss.
/, The lectures III these volumes, although published
posthumously aud without the personal revision Of
Ihe.authoF exhibit to large extent the qualities OF
which we have made mention. His various learning
his familiarity with the spirit of ancient culture
lombined with the vitalizing influence OF modern
Ideas his glowing popular sympathies his regard for
The interests of common life his love for the humor
aus even the goesque aspects of things, ana MS YER
aatle powers of expression are stamped every page
n they traverse ground already familiar to classical
scholars and present comparatively little that can
slaim the merit of novelty, they furnish an ample
Horehouse Of information to explorers Of the subject
gor the first time who cannot find III our language
more agreeable or a more faithful initiation into the
Mondrous life and literature which, in spite of the
lapse of ages have not been surpassed for beauty or
wisdom in the development Of humanity.
The work is divided into four courses of lectures,
the first devoted to the Greek language and poetry,
Including dissertations the origin of language the
classification Of languages and aaphabetic writing;
the second to Che social and domestic life Of Greece,
tts worship education, and governments the third TO
the constitutions and orators of Greece and the
fourth to Modern Greece.
vivid sketch of Hellenic culture Is given in one
f9,a piu Of no WI
we take the striking summary which follows OF the
essential elements ia Grecan life
The country as we have seen % TSs Se% 'd @ S
o bsTy ss yenHg and fresh its features ver
ned and beautiful. Mountain hin, and yale woodland
eating win haTd and uneven soil emate Of gnsgr
he whole surrounded by the waters OF the Mediterranean
Sea- along whose shores clustered the nObest seats
Which Hellenic Ike unfolded its fairest and most fragrant
hOHers Here laid the only true foundation Of civil
Elue9ee 70 the remotes branches Of kindred Her.
Sgere modelled embracing every principle of social and
political science Here poetry unfolded itself under the
auspices Here eloquenee was applied 70 ts highest and
Sf speech logic and intellectual force Here belief in
be existence of the gods gave TO every form OF nature
vine nature and clothed Itself in the gories plastic
art Here sprang up the exact sciences geometry asron-
human mind the moral or ethical science OF duty toward
Scrms Of Which were planted in Greece long before his
Tory was able 10 record them developed the faculties Of
tho mind and the powers Of the body in harmonious pro
portion Here history, art closely allied 10 political
liberty, not only began it's career but reached s highest
bf Greece. For the life OF nation grows out Of the fam
y affections it s strengthened BY the patriotic spirit
welfare Of the state the chasiisement suffering and
disaster nerves u to brave endurance; the sunshine OF
national prosperity expands 4 into nNurianI growth; the
teachings ofnaure give colorng the splendors OF ere
Ave genus exalt and refine IT. letters and art it
fOm rudenes poetry kndles its fervor eOquence heart
II to the great contests which have to breast be-
Of heaven: philosophy
shows ITS Intellectual relations religion opens its view into
fhe other world the breast Of Mother Earth the soul
ARd character Of nation lovingly repose underneath the
sl its teeming energies are wakened into thrills OF
stasy action tasks us strength Dy putting te IDEAL 70
Ione too subtitle to be expressed IN human speech is
creative power and goOdness-a natonslfe.
But the life of Greece was not all heTosm romance
poetry, and art 1t is mistake to regard ii merely
the land Of extraordinary persOnages. We catch
Rmpses of familiar scenes among the splendid
visions of history of the toll for daily bread of the
vulgar wants of humanity. If the Greeks were pre-
eminently nation of poets and artists, they no
less presminently nation of farmers Their life
rested, life everywhere rests on the bosom of the
Common Mother Earth. They understood the theory
and the practice Of agriculture though without the
improvements Of modern science. The picture of a
Greeian rural homestead may remndus OF scenes not
far off.
The faruryard had multitude OF noisy tenants Geese
and ducks often waddedintO thedtchen, ia
OF which might be heard the comforting sounds OF the
occupant othe pgsty The art Of enlargng the gOOse
LIVER TO please the fastdious appetite Of the goHrmand
Win ttenng @ food and drink was not left for German
gastronOmers 70 invent. but was wen known to the
furnished with roOsts were attached to the kitchen
p receive Its smoke which was supposed to be agreeable
cartridges, quas mOOrhens thrushes, pigeons IN Inn
We're found In the establishments Of the Weather farm
ers The curious scenes IN the birds OF Ar ophanes show