Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-05-26
OUR BOSTON LETTER.
The s'Edipus''-HOw Harvard Men
Dine - Graduating on Cheek
TOurtee,a Trim to Europe.


BosToN, May 19.-An entertainment of
a novel and interesting nature went on
over at Harvard night before last being
no less than the performance of the
ancient Greek tragedy, "Qsdipus," given
in the original by students of the Uni
versity, under the general direction OF
Mr.. George Riddle, an actor of well-knowD
merit, and professor of elocution at Har-
ward. The music is the work OF Paine
| the famous composer, and is remarkably
fine. A full rehearsal of the tragedy was
given last Friday evening, which was it
self finished performance, so complete
were all concerned in their parts. The
play is given in Sanders Theatre, which
is one OF the many halls of the University
buildings-an elegant little theatre, which
is not very little with a spacious stage,
ON which was disposed the simple scenery
required for the play, and which amply
accommodated the large orchestra, the
large accessory chorus and the dramatic
chorus, which latter chorus takes up the
action of the drama when the actors are
all off the stage, singing strophes and
antistrophes. The principal parts are
finely taken, Mr.. Riddle acting the king
and students filling the other charac-
tiers to perfect satisfaction, that of the
queen being particularly difficult and
particularly successful.
1t is certainly rather remarkable per
formance, being in every respect AS exact
a reproduction of those of ancient Greece
rs it is possible to get up. The costumes
were very rich aud in perfect imitation of
the olden dress, and the student actors
managed their sandals and togas with
more grace and ease than would have
been supposed possible, considering the
very limited amount of experience which
they can have had in getting used to
these difficult garments. The effect of
the dramatic chorus was very marked, it
being so utterly different from anything
| which we ever see on the modern stage,
and reminding those who were fortunate
enough to be at ber-Ammergass last
| summer of the chorus which forms so
effective feature of the passion Play"
| The play is full of dramatic situations,
and the action is so great that Ignorance
of the Greek language does not make it at
all unintelligibe.
The two little daughters of Qldipus
We're acted by little boys, no member OF
the other sex, of course, being even
admitted to these Harvard theatricals.
| Harvard boys have been quite given t.
"ii"'e"''sl s'''sI PEI anu i'',
given many sh'"S 'na' ""'e '"''e'
URN ~ "'''ieii'esi e" 9usia "sV,
some vi Them gave 'he oonie"y soioo.
hummer .. t'ineS al one u. Tue ci's
theatres, actiig the parts vi 'ne lroi.o'
some school girls in manner quite
irresistibly funny. In fact they have
been quite famous, time out of mind, fol
ehactlhs the ien'a'" cnar"c'er 10 per
'eG'ioh' vt, a.. ,
was 1T Meiiloriai nan the otner oa>
10 see 'i'e ,i"t'aru men cay tue.' "'i'ner
ms SOUNDS ll'tle ODD out !. Is really
qnite siSht' inere - very 'arSe c'"'
OF tile stuuents--i a"h kilo" now many
hunnrpls ol mem .i'1t "nly from 'h'
a'"u'uiic uepa' '''e"t' put Fo',' .he pr"
Iessinhai scnpo'S Us wei tax ,"e,r meat
togetler IN thls spiendli' great Melhoria
nan win It's sfahu stained S''ss WIN
dows ana heautitul architecture hatihj
III auch place ought =" y" very
iesthetlc sort ot an aialr, put II looked
after AL To he only an ordinary arrange
ineht wrought "i soup ana ite-crtani, wltl
the usual intermediate courses Ia"Ie
almost lnnn'neranle niied the great nan
balcony at one END OF Tue hall' thr nun
hfeds Oh men VINO were puSliy employee
III the important business heiore thrii'
ana VINO Were gong III ana OUT "i tli
hall, looked rather like The lmportan
and industrious occupants OF hNeiy an
hill.
Theirs Is a pleasant lite at liarvar
and one to he quite enyled. No END 9
lun and excitement, even Tor those wll
Keep within bounds OF reason ami com
mon sense. The glorious Oh buildlns
: the quiet, quaint Old city, the big, inoder
d Athens gust across the river, the Joll
: companionship of genuine fellow spirit
for four years, or even longer II probes
: sion he studied all the associations an
= habits are eharmingly pleasant, and
, the stutlous it Is perfect haven OF de
| lighttnl opportunity, while for those VIII
: are not lovers OF books and work there Al
e opportunities enough "l other KINDS, bt
y when the last months oil the ionr yea
a come round-as they inevitably do
every student sooner or later, alack an
n alas then is trouble at once.
Il There are no END oil inhny STORE
r aprop"s OF these fellows VINO Try I"
through college ION cheek, which new
y get INTO the press. a senior was tellll
It one the other day,a pretty rich one, COZ
corning the son OF gentleman who hole
Is very high "ihcial position IN Bost0n,ai
5, who went through his four years IN Il
'e lollirst fashion, but to whom the day
}. reckoning hhally arrived, casting hl
y into doubt and despair. Some OF his ella
/, resolved to ''put up u job on him, al
Is sent him word that ON the receipt OF
A a 4.