New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-14
SOCI4L LIFE AMONG THE AACIEAl
GREEKS.

GREEKS.
From, The CorHhH
Nv first impression OF an Athenian gentleman at
home was picturesque and pleasant. In small
room hung with pictorial tapestry and lighted by
single lamp placed on tripod near the door was
low Lroad couch of dark wood inlaid with IVORY On
this the " te folds o. his drc>s M ST. lkng contrast
erit3 fine rich c0verlets and the bright banded
coIors nf the pillow he was resting on lay dark,
handsome man. Of clear but sun-tanned com
nirxjou. and In front OF him was standing ~,
with long black hair, whose llthe hgure was wei
set of by a simple flannel tune, Oelted rouhd tue
~ aist with a rpu scarf Close ny MN was sihi1Il
low table on which were silly goblet anu Jug,
and near them "A small mute. IBIs was the picture
that met ms eye rs ! entered: anu nom SOUNDS
which had met my ear a | neared me 4oor ~ vas
pai, that | had surprised a father dellghtng Nun
self after dinner in bis sons essays n music ana
Nv hosts ready smile told me, before he spoke.
that was expected and welcome. win KISS
anJ g, friendly Pat on the head he dismissed the
lad who though from shyness he hardly NentuIed
IN looL mn bowed low To be took mp Ills mute
and ran or Alter the lnterchange OF a re" CIV
Inns I was conducted to my quarters Two
guest-rooms were assigned NE. poth opening Oh d
covered clOlster which bordeTed- as M the uIh'hG
rroro had left-on a square court. IN the cebtTc Ot
!, hi.h Stood a rude, weather-wOrn statue OF the
tutelor deity OF the family, facing an altar from
winch rose a tiny fountain oil smoHe. Sc rooms
v,ete very small, and had no other entrance LOT
lirnt chan the doorway, which was closed only DS
n curtain. IN one was beds'ead supporting Il
,,,ooll-n mattress laid glrtns, on Whcn Were "
inc Loosely blankets OF cOlOred wool In the oIher
was "A chair. stool, cushion, ana "a lamp IhiS
simple furniture OF slpgularly rlch workman
ship and most graceful IN design IelJ III luxury,
tbn,tyh There were two OF three artclcs absent
which | was accustomed 20 require one 81 "h'cn
wa. certainly a taDe. 1t had neen explained 10
mr. by my friend 10 NnOm OWtu tuls 4HtiV,I"O-
tiou that beng Hospitality entertained aJ Athens
would mean having separate rooms gwen me III Tue
L.use together with light, firing. ana salt that
might expect TO he asked pretty frequently 10 the
FAMILY dinner and &c receive from the family some
occasional presents Oh VINE OF run VI 80
lint that | must cater for my Elf and should ehloF
,firn liberty of action. This exactly the posi-
tiou I'm which | found myself for some Wcehs
rhouqh my host rs time went on, asked PERMISSION
10 treat more rs brother bhan as gue't
Tint evening was summoned back 70 the dining
room. where supper had in the meantime been
in conversation. and went 10 my couch
At davbreak | was aroused by the entrance OF
,lave bringing bread and wine. when ne riicei on
"A small table by the side Of my bed. Inns TOOK
/ a. a n. nj 10 rise. | fortunately IN one Oh tIe
rew wealthy houses thai could BOAST OF private
bath that tn desire toward the 'uD was piDJf5
Hnrrallv met | found my most up ana catrlUIll
1 Jrs.srI He had already been ont ID make q tali
nm friend and was now ready for the usual NOM
/ Ian, walk Before leaving England nal bceh
- hv Nr M.hafy who had been IN anclrnt
Cr.er. aofn. time rforr. that ] should ind many
4 WAYS III thought at Athens >trSinsl% MOI m /
fr,tf mr. or auV know ledge whatever OF h9 tastes
sttnuo..l A. a matter of course mat ! Sdouu iihc
no see the ghts OF Athens, the Pantheon ana tI'e
/ other temples AMI Pu"lt 1iii.uus', ono '.",
me If | cared tor statues ANA paintings adu aI'h-
I lecture. Under his guidance had ny ilI'l ae,
/ 1ualutauce with the masterpieces OF hultH ailu
/ III ,,uotus lie was not learned IN art but he
/ 1v.s IIoud of the glories Of his city, ana had "a
I genuine delight iu beauty. , ,
Kr.ak[asi was awaiting orr return ana was
moi sorry TO ind 1t substantial meal fIrsh hsh
! snup vegetables, bread, cheese, TuiI, ana money
/ cakes in succession were brought III ah9 tn.Ie'
/ lAIng beside them lu .nr 'uvl '''.Ih ut,tJ I
! drI9,- room wy host and discussed the rival
merits of the statues of Athens. compared the place
! If Assembly with the theatre OF DOnJslls talked
! oeer the freSrors IN the market-pace and IN the
/ Propvlpa. and forgot the glare and dust outside.
The ahsenee Of women IRON all social meetings
| did NOT ON my arrival at Athens at once strike me
| a. strange | suppose this was because was Hesh
! from university life. was so much used 20 met
! iug men oniy down the river anu III Tue d'hoV-
! courts az the Union, ana az VINE ana supper
! narri.s that | did not miss leuiaie socl'tE
especially a. the society IN winch dld ma lnS
was IN its freedom IN ITS true liberty; ePuai1b anu
traterntty % wonderfully like that " men had Leu
| left Rut | noticed the blank more ana hoio ts tHe
| DAYS went on, and then l began 10 estimate the
effect social life OF excluding the "on,eni ~
was plainly visible IN certain rou8hhess oI teehs
| in the absence OF that tenderness hlch produces
| uitv and sympathy with weakness ana Ies'r'Iha
| men from selfishnesS and cruelty. lnere was ho'
nncb respcct snowu to age in Athens. Poverty pro-
| yoked IA her than dsarmed ridlculc. IAes Vi
cruelty might arouse dangerous bitterness" especI-
aIIv II IL aec ted Athenlan ctzenS Out the cruelty
AID not in itself excite adherence. man VINO was
| hard and brutal toward his slaves was called
stern master but one demonstrated intellectual
refinement was certainly prl1ed hshly enough, anu
the civic virtues were actually worshppedy put 20
! nv thinking Greek CIVILIZATION was SUI, lh'on-
| plete through lack OF THAT sehsliy eness 70 olc
| ssid. If morality which | could not help believing
| that the influence of women IN daily NE WoulI
| have helped To develop. found many thCuBhtLul
| Greeks holding the same opinion.
After all. could not see that the stouest dtN ~
cate for the enamel patton of women gave them nan
| an inch more freedom than his nelghb0r lie mghl
believe in the ability and Intelligence OF women
| he might prove cOnclusivel} 10 Others 1uat Nonou
rad once held higher position III At'ig soclety
md had real influence upon daily lie. lie inlgn
! 20 further and speculatlng on the cause or TINS
convince himself that. in the absorbing pursuit o.
poltical interests his fellow citizens we're gi9Wlnl
selfish and despotiC COutemptuous towards all 1orc'
1T w. NOT keen and practical but all the SAINT
be was a despOt in his house ana selhsh IN hl'
Measures II NAV have been he Lacked the courage
In face a torrent Of rldicule but II may nave Deer
also that h. doubted I'D ms secfe' llnu " Ii.liS
| iantied that my host was one who Thought thus
| he WIS too kindly man t. be a tyfant anywhere
| and l recollect thar in my hearing ne once com
pared the rule of husband over his W 10 th.it
| y CONGREGATIONAL ruler over citizens free and hu
! roual. Also "A we became more intimate, iOuh'
thar he loved family lie stu ne lcA.ousy gu1 Ir'
! n from public view. when ne entertainer III
frient, AZ dinner his wife du not appear Dut uel
w. ven alone She generally hreakiasted with rs
she and her three chlllren sitting al tables, " h
we reclined and not unfrtquthlS Hh' uluSu w
us She was very gentle ana simple inlnucu, uu
iu no respect shy or awkward. but. on the contrary
ALI posses,sd and rather stately. lie treated ne
| with kindliuess and courtesy, told her the news
With little reservation where necessary, ana sh
| took her part very easily and naturaiy III cohFei
| sation do not think her lie was JUL II Is q u
tLat ~ FAR M my observation went, she never, Will
in Athens went out unless 10 attend rehglou
festivals, PROFESSIONS, ana SACRIFICES OuI tIeS nau
house in the country where they sprnt part OF IN
YEAR There she enjoyed more Liberty, ana PROD
ahlv she no more wished TO frequent the AgorA o
the Gymnasia than our ladies' Wlsh 10 20 q
Change, or have the entree Of our clubs