New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-11
DIR. scBLIEuAyy,s DISCOVERIES.

The recent statement that DR.. Schllcmann
had resumed his excavations at llissarlik, on
the plain of Troy, at the invitation OF the
Turkish Government, was incorrect After
accompanying Dom Pedro to the Troad, he
returned to Argolis, in order to continue the
work of cxhumlng the ruins of the ancient
citadel of MykcnG. 1t was not generally con-
sidered promising locality; for the ancient
capital Of Agamcmnon had lost its importance,
save that of tradition, long before the decline
of Grccian power In fact after ITS destrnc-
ton by the Argiycs, in the year 4G3 Is. u, IL
does not appear to have been inhabited. When
Pausanias visited the spot, more than SIX Gen.
turies later (about A. d. 100, he found the
ruins in much the same condition as now, cx-
cept that the tombs of the Homeric heroes
were still distinguishable. But the rubbish
and vegetation of $500 years have long since
hidden everything except the sO-callcd Gate
"of Lions" pant of the ancient CyclOpean
wall and curious dome-shaped structure,
known as the "Treasury Of Atreus."
DIR. Schlemann found the work of exca7a-
ton very difficult. With his accustomed thor
oughness, he first went down to the native
rock of the rugged hill upon the crest OF which
the old city was built, depth of % feet be-
low the surface, and then drove lateral shafts
in several directions. Although the remains OF
the masonry uncovered were of a very inter-
esting character, and some coins, pottery, and
implements were found, the result seemed
slight in comparison with the great labor and
expense. The most valuable object he recov-
cred was n mold, or die, for coming money.
But now. all at once, the patient explorer has
In Loft In M Ia ~
of Greece, written at MykenI on the 2Sth of
November, he announces that he has dlscOV-
cred the monuments described by Pausanias as
the traditional tombsof AgamemnOn, CaSsandra,
Eurymedon, and their companions, who were
slain at n banquet by Clytemnestra and Hgls-
tieus. The tombs, he says, are surrounded by
a double parallel circle. with tablets evidently
erected in honor of the dead. Within them
he found an immense quantity OF archco-
logical treasures, including number of aru-
Giles of pure gold-another testimony for Homer,
who speaks OF the gold-abounding hykeng."
DIR. Settlements letter, which is very brief, con-
cludcs tins: "The treasure alone is sufficient
"to fiji large museum, and the most splendid
ain the world In succeeding ages | am sure
ait will attract to Greece thousands oil 6tran-
gers from abroad. AS | am labOrng SIMPLY
" for the love of science | waive all claim TO
"the treasure and offer it, with intense en-
"thusasm, entirely TO Greece"
II did not need this offer to satisfy the world
of the purely enthusiastic, unseltish character
of Dr. Scbliemann's devotion to Homerlc re-
search. When we consider how many precious
records of the Past the earth still hides IN her
bosom. and how many thousands of fortunes
far greater than his are either idly held,
senselessly squandered, or narrowly bequeathed,
we must heartily rejoice in this last success
for his sake, since he has so noby earned 1t,
no less than for the sake of the world which
will profit by it. The superb works of Greclan
art. rising one by one to the sunshine after
their long sleep under the sod at Olympia,
will also be given to Greece. Athens may soon
become the depository of u collection richer
and more beautiful than has hitherto existed.
Thus far all research has confirmed, explained
or continued the ancient historical records.
We now know far more of the early history
of our race than Herodotus knew, and we
shall soon understand the age of Homer better
than any Greek who lived in that OF Pencies.
As we advance in Time, we see further back
ward, and with q clearer vision. TINS Is an
incstinable gain; and we cannot be suiil-
cieptly grateful to the few men who are now
laborng to secure and increase it.
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