Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-29
THE GREAT TROJAN SCANDAL.
The True Story of Paris and Helen
Report of the Committee of six

InG true 1tOEY Oh EAFlh ana HeIen-
Report of the Committee of six
Among the recent discoveries made by
DIR. Schlinmann on the site of ancient
Troy is one whichnot only fully confirms
the Homeric legend, but which is in itself
so extraordinary as to seem almost in
credible. 1t is nothing less than the
discovery among the so-called treas
ures OF Priam of a series of papyri
containing a full account of the abduc-
ton OF Helen. The preservation of these
papyri is to be accounted for by the fact
that they were inclosed in a chest formed
of thick slabs of asbestos, which resisted
the fire which consumed Troy. They
include copies of several of the leading
Greek and Trojan journals of the day,
thus refuting the popular theory that
journalism was unknown to the ancients,
| have been permitted, through the kind
ness Of Herr Won Schweinhunn, late Ger.
man Consul at ConstaRtiDople, to see
the original documents-all of which are
written in Greek-and to make transla
lations of the most interesting facts set
forth by them. am, therefore, in po'
sition to give your readers the first trust.
worthy account of the great Trojan
scandal which has appeared for 5000
years.
The identity of the Homeric charac.
ters is fully confirmed, and the legend
that Paris visited Menelaus at Messene
is substantiated in all its main features
Paris was, however, not the mere hand
some guardsman whom Homer de-
scribed, but young Prince of great
promise, who had already written a
number of popular works, and who was
engaged while at Messene on Life Of
Prometheus."
Menelaus does not seem to have sus
pected any intimacy between the hand
some Trojan and his wife until the lat
ter. in moment of remorse, caused by
overindulgence in weak tea, made a
confession to him. He therefore met
Paris at the house OF Ajax, who was the
friend of both, and, after obtaining q
confession from him, agreed to hush the
matter up.
Unfortunately, retired priest Of Del
phos, with a strong desire for mischief,
got wind of the matter-doubtless
through one of the Pythoneses--and be-
gan to abuse Menelaus in the columns
Of the Messenean News. About the
same time Paris returned 10 Troy, TAX
ing Helen with him, aud Menelaus, in
bis indignation, made the whole story
public.
The excitement created was enormous,
and Paris, to save his reputation, de.
manded an investigation, selecting six
troopers of his own regiment as a COM
mittee. The investigation was eonduc-
ted with the most perfect fairness,
company Of arehers being stationed out.
side the door of the eommittee-room,
with orders TO shoot every witness who
did not testify in Paris favor They
failed, however, to bit Menelaus, and
were obliged to content themselves with
instigating the campfollowers TO throw
mud at him.
Menelaus told a straightforward story
which, when Published BY the Trojan
and Grecian papers, convinced nearly
every intelligent person Of truth, espe-
cially g. it contained letters written by
Paris, in which he expressed bis guilty
attachment, and remarked that Meme
laus had conducted himself most gene
rausly toward him, but that be should
nevertheless be very nervous until he
could carry Helen away TO Troy with