Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-23
Greek Life in the Heroic Ages.

The following is from Mr.. Gladstone's
recent work, "JuveHtus Mundi:"
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 desire to emulate their
fame he shares in manly and in grace
full sports, acquires the use of arms,
hardens himself in the pursuit, then of
all others the most indispensable, the
hunting down of wild beasts; gains the
knowledge of medicine; probably also
of the Tyre. Sometimes, with many
sided intelligence, he even sets himself
to learn how to build his own house or
ship, or how to drive the pillow down the
furrow, as we'll 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
instruction and by practice, how to rule
mankind through the use of reasoning
and persuasive powers in political assem-
blies, attends and assists in the 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 at
tendants, although they are but serfs,
who have known him from infancy on his
fathers domain.
His early youth is not solicited into
vice by finding sensual excess in vogue,
or the opportunities of it glaring in his
eye and sounding in his ear. Gluttony
is hardly known; drunkenness is marked
only by its degrading character and by
the evil consequences that flow so straight
from it, and it is abhored. But he loves
the genial use of meals, and rel oices in
the hour when the guests, gathered in his
fathers hall. enjoy liberal hospitality,
aud the wine mantles in the cup.
For then they listen to the lay of the
minstrel, who celebrates before them
the newest and the 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
country's heroes. de joins the dance in
the festivals of religion; the msiden's
hand upon his wrist, and the gilded knife
cleaning from his belt, as they course
from point to point, or wheel in round on
round. That maiden, some Nsusicss or
some Hermione of neighboring dis
trict, in due time he weds, amidst
the rejoicings of their families, and
brings her home to cherish her
from the flower to the ripeness
of the grape" with respect, fidelity
and love. Whether ss Governor or as
governed, politics bring him, in ordinary
circumstances, no great share of trouble.
Government is o machine Of which the
wheels move easily enough. for they are
we'll oiled by simplicity Of usages, ideas
and desires; by unity Of interest; by re-
spect for authority, and for those ia
whose hands it is reposed by love of the
common country, the common altar, the
common festivals and games, to which
already there is large resort. ln peace
be settles the disputes Of his people; in
war be lends them the precious example
of heroic daring. BE consulis them, and
advises them on all grave affairs; and his
wakeful care for their interest is rewarded
by tie ample domains which are set apart
for the prince by the people. Finally he
closes his eyes, delivering over the scep-
Ter 10 his sons, and leaving much peace
and happiness around him.