The New York herald., 1876-12-15

are SO well iortidcdHby Grccian historical writings
Pausanas writing Two centuries after Christ refers
10 these tombs the traditions concerning their oc
cupants and the cadiyterminatng feast, and the
general Of hts writings lead him 20 be regarded
historians IL is clear that Professor Schhcmann,
however much he may DO criticised, has rather the
best argument for he has crcumstnntia testi-
mony OF strong character that has discovered the
veriiabc tombs while his critics st The best can only
aver that the proof Is wanting Professor Huntington on
awaited with very great interest by the learned men
OF the world, and II Is possible and to be hoped that
they viii be OF such nature as TO establish at This
late day the truth OF what was only tradition at the
DR.. rRAsrus KvEnxrr's OPINION.
HERALD representative waited yesterday upon the
above named gentleman, who Is professor Of the clas
steal languages and literature al Rutgers College The
Doctor just about dismissing his fair pupils a. the
usually dreaded interviewer entered
.Profcssor Everett said the man OF the press, II
have called upon you In order TO elicit your opinion
with regard TO the discoveries purported to
have been made by nr. schliemann Al Mycenm."
40, that was as much gras6ed as was surprised at
tho tidinGs conveyed in the columns Of tho HERALD
touching Schliemanns discoveries; and before 90
farther wish TO say that u Is a most encour-
aging sign Of the times that the most i'm
portant and influential newspaper Of this land,
and perhaps of the world, dcvoics much
OF It's energy and resources purely scientific
and literary distinguished from those that arc OF
purely political or material character Such course
tho part OF great journal cannot fan to procure II
hosts OF friends among tho educated. who have long
looked for something like the spirit which oi late
never failed 10 evnce.
Now touching schiicmaun's supposed discoveries.
would say that they viii not, thoroughly verified,
increase my faith IN the Hind, which has been
nlicrly treated as myth by many modern writer's OF
history And viii give you my reason Tor so speak
ing. The invention OF such characters and incidents
those dcpcicd in Homer would be much more sur
prsing thing than their actual existence and am OF
course, naturally Inclined to take that which Is most
consouant with The ordinary run OF things
81 am that IN this dincr essentially from the
school which, since the year 1921 has chosen throw
nearlv the whole OF ancient history
within three centuries OF the Christian era. But
have always had an abiding faith IN the rehabilitation,
II may call IL, OF The great figures oil ancient his
tory. In my own mind have never had any moro
doubt OF the actual existence OF Homcr's heroes tnan
Blount Buckingham, in the plays oil Shakespeare.
Men do not SIT down and invent characters like
Achilles, Agamcmnon or Priam Il they have had no
existence
.Thcn, to leave MyceEn for an instant" said the
HERALD man, ut would seem TO be your opinion that
Dr. Schlicnann did actually come upon thc ruins OF
ancient Troy and upon the palace OF Pramy"
81 am Of opinion that Or schhemann did discover
the stc OF ancient Troy and that his deductions arc
sufficiently borne out by iacts am aware that many
supposed authorities controvcrtcd his statements
rather bitterly; but 1t is a easy matter TO deny
and carp when one has not The trouble OF max
ing discoveries IL would be possibly more dlfcul; for
these doubling Tnomases to say wha. the ruins dis
covered by Schlicmann are u they deny hem to be
those OF Troy. Men who know great deal are In the
habit OF contrndicting such statements as those OF
ngs nnd less difficulty in questioning everything,
This is cheap method OF covering ignorance.
which IS always aggressive on the negative siuc OF
every question:
Then arc you inclined 10 believe Professor Everett,
that Schicmann has actually discovered the grave OF
Agamcmnone'
Alt would be unwise to venture nm opinion upon
that point until We have in detail all the evidence
which Dr. Schlemann has 10 adduce In favor OF his
present assumption. As far as have been able TO
gather from tho columns Of tho HKkALD which is the
only newspaper that has given tho news, II seems TO
me that the assumption that the tomb discovered 10
actually that Of Agamemnon is not as yet sufficiently
horne out, either by direct or collateral testimony
In all these cases the only thing which could give
positive certainty would DO the discovery OF inecrp
tons such would absolutely nx the date
OF the iuicrment OF the occupant OF the tOmO Now,
In the time NJ which Agamcmpon is supposed to have
lived II not customary TO mako Inscriptions on
funcrenl monuments, and. consequently, much wall
have be lett inference both on the part Of DR..
Schcmnnn and on hat OF tho literary public.n
"Hut presume you are tolerably satisfied that DIR.
Schemann has mado an important discovery in the
PcloponDcsusy"
eAbout that do not think there Is any doubt. and
in SO far am OF opinion that his discovery 10 ono
OF great mportancc. All such discoveries Ike those
thor merely archaeological aspects They are ndi-
rectly check upon tho scepticsm which has from
the tin you boy up to the present SO inlnu
IDENTIFY asserted itself The iconocas:s will have
round ard explain tho existence OF these things,
which, supposinc their theories 10 be true, ought
never 10 have existed. And here may say that am
n firm believer IN ancient history MS II has been
handed down TO us. In view OF the possible con-
hrmaton OF tho accounts furnished us IN the ancient
classics, look upon these discoveries Of Schliemann
and De Cesnoia OF the very nrst Importance. and
do think much credit can be gwen 10 the NYw
YoRK HERALD Tor the splendid enterprise which II has
long exhibited in this and all kindred matters.
Such undertakings honor and elevate Journalism and
reflect immense credit upon the mon who conduct
newspapers IN tho way in which the NEW YORK
HERALD as many led the van.n