The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-15
THE LECTURE SEASON.

REV. MR.. sPAULDINo ON TIE ADJUSTMENTS on
ANCIENT ROME
"Anceut Roman Amusemonts; the Circus. Theatre
and Amphisheatre," was the subject of the Rev. Mr.
Spauiding's lecture at Chickering Hall yesterday.
The lecture was announced TO begin at eleven O'Clock
and at Ave minutes past eleven yesterday the lghH
were turned out the hall left in almost total dark<
ness The audience was not more than half seated
by that time, and It was very amusing for those
already seated and whose eyes were accustomed ia
the OF light to see the new comers who had
Just left the glare OF the morning sun come Into the
hall and STops their way toward their seats An
usher could only guide one lady a. time, for no had
TO take her hand aud lead her along step by step
Once in while a suppressed shrek would greet the
ear as some UNCONSCIOUS lady placed her hand upon
the bald head OF old gentleman occupying an aisle
seat or seated herself comfortably upon the lap oil an
absorbed listener. only 10 sprag up again IN terrore
Many OF the ladies braced themselves up against Inc
walls avowing that they would not bulge an nch. II
was time before the late arrivals were satisac-
torIy bestowed, and during the first twenty minutes
the hum oi voices aud murmur 0f laughter were heard
from OF the hail.
Mr.. spauIding began his lecture With description
o. the Colosseum as theatre, and pointed out lie
properly rooms and other Appliances OF well regu-
was given OF the Maxentius, ana the runs Of
which still stand on the Appian Way. were shown on
the canvas. The most attractive amusement ot lha
CIRCUS the chariot The speed Of tho horses
the skill Of the driver was not what the ancient
Romans cared ior-iL the party spirit that their
side should win which excited them. Every Roman,
from the Emperor down 10 the slave, attached him-
self 10 one or the other OF the circus factions and
wore its colors These co0rs OF the opposing factions
excited the most beilgerent feelings IN the breasts
OF the Romans, and the circus was frequently sne
scene Of riot and bloodsued ms party SPIRIT SAID
the lecturer been almost passed over by the his
torians II IL incident instead OF symptom
Of political degradation anu moral decadence Even
Mr. Lecky, he said, omlts all reference TO the Roman
circus enumeratng the great causes which impeded
the normal Development OF Roman civilization. he
dwels ~ length upon she perncious influence exer-
Csc by the gladiatoral games Yet 1t would not W
difficult 10 prove that man who took pleasure In
a giadatorial combat was not necessarily made
thereby eiIner bad citizen or cruel ncghbor. Inc
fascination OF the lay In lis power to absorb
into itself all other interests. In speaking OF the
Roman theatre the lecturer began with the annette
dances ana marked from them the progress OF The
drama. Next these dances came the improvsed
farcos called Fabule Atelan4, somewhat IKE the
modern Punchinello. Not one oil these MINES has
come down III It's entirety. ludecences we're as
frequent the Roman theatre as bruLalties IN the
arena brutalles were not confined 10 The arena,
Tor even IN tho theatre CRIMINALS were hung upon
cross and 70 pieces by Wild beaslG The panto-
mime OF tho ancient Romans was remarkable LOT its
expressiveDess Signs have always been natural gife
with the Italians. The Roman Tragedy was never
hardy plant and perished under the Empire Tor want