The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-09
A NOVEL THEsPIAN TEMPLE.
Tn. New Theatre In the Memorial Hall AZ
Harvard.

FROM TIE BOSTON Adsernser.
The Academic Theatre which was yes
terday for the first time occupied, forms tn,
eastern division Of the Memorial Hall, which 4,
thus, eleven years after its inception, finally
brought to completion. The theatre as its
name implies, Is due 10 the munincence OF the
late Mr.. Charles Sanders Of the olass OF 1902
formerly Of Salem. but during the latter part OF
his life resident OF Cambridge. In 1888 the year
before his DEATH he gave to the college a parcel
81 real estate In Cambridge, valued at $4,000,
TOT inc erection OF nm Alumni Hail. and left by
will the sum Of t.0Ooo In trust TO the President
and Fellows Tor the same purpose. In 1876 the
property had accumulated to over se0OOO
and an additional amount Of $1,000 being made
up by private subscription, work was begun in
the spring Of that year.
The theatre, which In its general shape recalls
the theatres OF antiquity. being nearly of a
senicircie form, with shallow stage extending
along the straight side, ts probably, the largest
modern building of the kind. being about A nun.
drod feet across IN each direction. The stage
which T. occupied with seats for the President
and Fellows, the Overseer and the various facul-
ties ~ the University, IL about sixty feet wide
by about twenty-five feet deep, and acoommo-
would have called H. the pr S r. 'e ne. Greeks n
30 seats, occupied in commencement days nv
the graduating class and other candidates for
degrees. The rest ~ the audience, to the num-
her of about thousand, are disposed in wedge
shaped seats, the cunst of the ancients. divided
by narrow aisles radiating toward the centre.
-
Access Is gained To these seats by staircases In
the Memorial vestbule. over the stage is a
gallery for the musicians or singers.
The framing Of the roof consists principally Of
seven queen post trusses, so arranged as TO In
torsect each other In plan, each queen-post being
common to two trusses. This construction Ia
displayed In the architectural treatment OF the
ceiling, Of which the long intersecting tie-beams
are the most conspicuous feature, the columns
which rise above the points Of Intersection indi-
eating the position 81 the queen-posts. These
columns support radiating ribs, which form a
sort Of dome or half dome over the pit
The theatre IA finished In brown ash. the
benches and chairs being in black walnut. The
walls and ceiling are boldly but simply treated
In color, the ceiling being Of an olive green, the
upper walls Of bun, the lower walls and those
about the stage Of red. In each surface the
colors OF the two Others are introduced in lines
and bands.
On the large wall over the stage, above tho
music gallery, Is the following inscription in
Latin:
-" Here in the wilderness did English exiles in
tho year after the birth Of Christ the sixteen
hundred and thirty sixth.and the sixth after the
foundation of their colony. believing that wis.,
dom should first Of all things be cultivated, by
public enactment found school, and dedicated
II To Christ and the church.
Increased by the munincence OF John Har-
ward, again and again assisted by the friends OF
good learning, not only here but abroad, and
brought safely through from small beginnings
20 larger estate by the care and judgment and
foresight OF Presidents, fellows Overseers, and
faculty-all liberal arts and public and private
virtues II has cultivated. IL cultivates still.
But they that be wise shall shine IA the
brightness Of the armament, and they that
bring many to righteousness, ike the stars for
ever and ever
On the walls al the side Of the stage are tablets
recording the munihcence Of Mr.. sanders and
the date OF the erection Of the building.
class Of lsas, and Mr. Henry Van Brunt Of the
class Of 1854.