The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-09-06
MISCELLANY.
=" LITERATURE. {"

- LI1ElbAI OIlIls
Tho following is the Grafton delivered by
DR.. J. Hayhurst, of Lambertville, at the Con-
vention of Lyceums of Bucks Co., at the
Beaumont Deer Park, on the 10Th ult.
The history of the world is a history of
blood written with the point of the sword on
the quvering flesh of the millions of suffering
humanity, who have gone down under the
terrific advances of the various conquerors
who have figured as active agents in the
various incidents recorded by the historians
The literature of the times is in accor-
dance with the transactions of the age. In
order to secure a place on its pages, it was
necessary to be the author Of some deed, which
had for its object the subjugation of at least
a province. The successful general found no
trouble in securing willing chroniclers of his
deeds of daring or his feats of vaIor.
The building up of splendid cities which in
time spread their arms over not only the
neighboring cities and country, but over the
most prosperous portion of the more distant
parts Of the known world, was a matter duly
recorded and seemed to be thing of great
Importance. But it was matter Of much
more Importance to organize an armed force
which could oyerturn and destroy them.
The rise of She Grecian and Roman EN-
pires as4d the founding of the city of Troy,
their great prosperity and power, were fitting
themes for the historians pen. But the de-
struction and humiliation of the Grecian En-
pire, the downfall of Rome, the siege of Troy
and the fiual subjugation of that great city,
come to us in the most eloquent strains of the
historians pen, and poetry lends its aid to pic
turc to the mind and impress upon our MEM
DRY, in lasting images, the destruction Of these
powerful empires, and the siege, capture and
desolation of that splendid city.
And it is from this source that we derive the
literature which is placed in the hands of our
sons, at this day, as we attempt to educate
them in our best institutions Of learning. In
this we are fostering the same spirit in them,
which influenced the ancients in their deeds of
destruction. Thus do these semi-barbarians in
fuence us at this remote PERIOD and create
in the hearts of our youth love for such
glory as the pen of the authors wrought a.
round the characters of those distant times.
We now pass from what may very
properly be denominated the classic age, into
the age of cbivalry or knight errantry. l do
not wish to be understood by this statement
that these two periods were by any means in
timately connected, but that it suits my
purpose at present, to note the two periods as
distinct in the character Of the people and al
SO that the style of their literature cores
ponds with the changed mode OF life Of those
who were prominent enough to merit the no.
tice of the historians of that day.
Men who set themselves up as heroes, and
called themselves by grandiloquent Names
who proclaimed themselves to be the defend
ers of the defenceless and who protested to
be just and fearless under all circumstances,
armed and equipped for battle, rode from one
end of the known world to the other, es-
pecially in England, Spain and France. These
heroes were mounted on the best horses that
could be obtained. They were covered with
defensive armor, both they and their horses.
They sought adventures, extending their eff
forts even to Palestine, professedly for the
purpose of obtaining possession Of the tomb
of our Saviour. But further description of
these celebrated characters is unnecessary,
except to say that they assisted in the war
which is known in history as the war of the
'tcrusaders.'
The literature of that time is in perfect ac-
cord with this state of things The whole
literary world, of light literature especially,
teemed with the adventures of these charac-
tiers.
1t must be confessed that the wandering
adventurous mode of life was peculiarly fitted
for furnishing materials for the most thrilling
romance, and well was that opportunity used.
Take what is generally known as novel,
land you all know what mean by that term
which professed to treat of matters of that
time, and it was made up Of incidents of ro-
nance and adventures of one or more of
these characters. Who that has read Walter
Scott's "Iyanhoe," has not felt his blood
thrill as he read Of the gorgeous arrangements
of one of the many tournaments at which
this doughty knight distinguished himself?
Who can forget the description Of the s'Black
Knight or of Richard Occur De Leon, =
and many others as they met in the trial of
their knightly requirements? Who has not
seen in imagination the shock Of contending
heroes, when horse and rider had been
thrown upon the ground, and all seemed con-
fusion and death?- The whole world seemed