Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-29
Greek Life in the Heroic AGE.

The following is from Mr.. Glad
stones recent work, "~Juventus Mum
di:" The youth of high birth, not
then so widely as now separated from
the low, is educated under tutors in
reverence for his parents, and in de-
sire to emulate their famei he shares
in manly and in graceful sports, ac-
quirps the use of arms, hardens him
self in the pursuit, then Of all others
the most diSpenSable, the hunting
down of wild beasts; gains the
knowledge OF medicine probably al
so of the Tyre. Sometimes, with
many-sided intelligence, he even sets
himself to learn how to build his own
house or ship, or how 10 drive the
plough down the furrQw, as well as to
reap the standing corn; and when
scarcely a man, he bears arms for his
country or his tribe, takes part IN its
government, learns, by direct instrUo-
ton and by practice, how to rule man
kind through the use of reasoning and
persuasive powers in political assem-
blies. attends and assists in sacrifices
to the gods. For all this time he has
been in kindly and free relations, not
only with his parents, his family, his
equals of his own age, but with the
attendants, although they are but
serf5, who have known him from in
fancy on his fathers domain.
His early youth is not solicited into
vice by finding sensual excess in
vogue, or the opportunities of it glar-
inc in his dyes and sounding in his
ear. GluttOny Is hardly KNOWN /;
drunkenness is marked only by its de-
grading character and the evil cQnse-
quences that flow ST straight from it.,
and it is abhOrred. But he loves the
genial use o fmeals, and rejOices in the
hour when the guests gathered in his
father's hall enjoy a liberal hOspitali-
ty. and the wine mantles in the cup.
For then they listen to the lay of the
minstrel who celebrates before them
the newest and dearest of the heroic
tales that stir their blood and rouse
their manly resolution to be worthy,
in their turn, Of their country and
their counrryAs HEROES He joins the
dance in the festivals of religion; the
maiden's hand upon his wrist, and
the giTded knife CLEANING ffQm his
belt, as they course from point 10
point, or wheel in round on round.
That maiden, some Nausicaa or some
Hermione of a neighboring district, in
due time he weds, amidst the re-
ioicings of their families, and brings
her home to cherish her !'from the
flower to the ripepess of the grape"
with respect, fidelity and l9Ye.
Whether ds governor or as governed,
politics bring him, IN ordinary cir
eumstanOes, no great share Of trouble
Government is a machine of which
the wheels move easily enough, for
they are well by simplicity of usages,
| ideas, and desires; by unity Of inter-
est: BY respect for authority, and for
those in whose hands it is repOset;
Ly love OF the common country, the
common aitsr, TIE common festivals
and games, to which already tkepe l.
large resort. In peace he SETTLES the
disputes of his peoples in wal he
lends them the precious example Of
heroic daring. Hs ecnsElts them. and
advises WITH them on aligrave affairs;
and his Wakefil care'for tileir Interest
if rewarded BY the ample domains
witch age SCI ssarf for the Prince by
the people. Finally, be Closes MS
eyes, delivering over the seeptreto his
sons, and leaving much peace and
h~asEiness around him.