Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-07-04

] y
Athens is situated in latitude 81
degrees 56 minutes N. longitude, %
degrees 80 minutes E. 1t has a popula-
ton Of about fifty thousand, l estimat-
ed, though my figures may be imper-
feet, and several people may have been
counted twice in making the estimate.
Athens lies in the lap of a beautiful
amphitheatre, and has done so ever
since | can remember. l do not know
whether her parents are aware of it or
not.
Athens is bounded on three sides by
beautiful mountains, and faces toward
the setting sun. The air is beautiful.
Many years ago, when the old-fashion-
ed Athenians were here, one thousand
years or more before Chist, and who
are now no more, they used to wear
their summer clothes till late in the
fall. 1t didn't cost $3.50 to feed a
hard coal furnace, and So for under
clothes and overshoes and hot whisky,
in Athens. Who, then, can speak harsh,
ly of Athens? | am sure ! do not
blame her. If could lie in the lap
of beautiful amphitheatre with my
little bare, pink feet in the swelling
tide for three thousand years, would
do it, and l wouldn't care how much
talk it occasioned, either. Three thou
sand years is a long while to lie, but |
would be almost willing to try it.
In 404, Lysander captured Athens
and abolished the democracy, but the
democracy couldn't have been so power
full 4O4 years before Christ as it was
last fall.
Demosthenes used to speak in public
here at that time. He was certainly
an able speaker. l never heard him
myself, but from what | can learn he
could jar the masses with his eloquence
in very remarkable way. When the
liberty of Athens was threatened, De-
mosthenes assailed Philip and told him
what he thought of him, and fired
Philippies at him till he wished that he
had never been born. If Philip had
lived in our day, he would have gone tC
Demosthenes and said: "Here, partner
you are injuring your voice talking SC
much in the night air. You are g
good public speaker, and we can't afford
to lose you. Rather than see you &C
around Athens next spring with your
f silvery voice done up in rag, would
be willing to suffer a little inconven
fence myself. Go to Florida and stay
: there till l send for you. Take one o
my ships of you want it. Take tina
f one with hole in the bottom of it, i
you want it. Go to California. Visi
the Sandwich Islands. Mix up will
} the cannibals. Enjoy yourself. DON
hurry back. Here's my check for tel
, thousand dollars. When that SUM
out, let me know. Draw on me a
sight. Stay away as long as you
D please The longer you stay away
: the more money will shower on you
!. widow"
l wish l had more room to give t,
the history of Athens. l could go OIL
= for hours telling about the beauty o
= the landscape, the wonderful histor.
! of the city, and the mighty work &C
r complished by her orators, artist
y sculptors, and statesmen, but hav
;. not the time or space to do it. | hav
spoken mainly of Athens prior to tn
!. Christian era, knowing that my reader
will, most of them, easily remembe
what has since occurred.
F. About the fifteenth century, how
/ ever, Athens, under the Turkish rule
e began to decline, and continued to de
cline with great success for man
, years. Now, however, l feel more en-
couraged about her. She is certainl
reforming in that line, for 1 asked sew
eral leading Athenians to join me in
" slight token Of respect to King Gan
brinus, and none of them declined
o Probably they have learned to see tn
v folly of it.
q In the fourteenth century Nero Wa
Duke of Athens, and his family hun
q on to it for,sixty,two years. Nero was
! tough duke. He was hardene