Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-02
The "Greek-Play" Question.


In our issue OF Sunday We published a
communication from Professor CHARLES ).
ygxApi.E, OF the University OF Virginia, In
which that gentleman takes dlscouraging
view Of our suggestion OF southern or
Virginia performance OF Greek play. IL
Il true that Professor YESABLE makes bis
remarks as 10 The unwisdom and inpractl'
eability OF an attempt to follow the exam
ple Of the University Of Pennsylvania and
Harvard apply specifically TO the institution
with which he Is connected. but inferen-
tally they can be regarded as applying TO
all the other higher institutions OF learning
In Virginia. While we dislike to take
issue with one OF Professor NENABLE's
long and varied experience In edu-
cational matters, we cannot agree that
our suggestion Is unwlse and impracticable.
That there are obstacles IN the way OF the
performance OF Greek play IN Virginia
we admit, but we fail TO see that those OBJ
stacles are insurmountable. The most for
cable objection TO the undertaking urged
by Professor YENABLE Is the "expense"
which be says would be involved. Touch
ing that point we would say that we be-
lisye that should the Greek.play question
assume practical shape there would be no
trouble about securing whatever money
might be necessary for the production OF
the play. We do not believe that the
riends OF the various institutions OF
learning in the State would let such
an undertaking fall through for want
of funds. On the contrary, we feel
confident that they would respond
literally 10 an appeal in behalf oil
a movement that would do so much to
bring our universities and colleges to the
front, and that their liberality would be
supplemented 10y that OF those upon whom
our educational institutions have no direct
or personal claim. As to the other difficult
ties mentioned by Professor VENABLE,
they are such as our scholar ship and gene
raj culture should take pridein overcoming.
There would be no need for hurrying
matters. Our policy should be "to make
haste slowly" II cannot be questioned
that we have in Virginia Greek
scholars fully as competent as any at
The North to train n cast. The play
might be made collateral reading for an
entire session, II necessary, and the text
having been mastered by those proposing
TO take part In the performance, great
point would be gained-a point which, we
think, would render the work Of the elo-
cutionists and the rehearsal masters much
less labonous and Understanding than
Professor VESABLE supposes. AS regards
the professor Of music and the costume and
scenery designers, they can be supplied
from Richmond in the persons Of gentle
men who would meet the most cxacting
demands Of the occasion, and who would
make their work labor OF love.
The latter part Of Professor VENABLE's
communication deals in general way with
the question Of the educational advantage OF
producinga Greek pl,g. Here We differ with
him also. We would not have the University
OF Virginia abate in the least her efforts TO AZ.
ford solid education aud stimulate high
thinking. That policy which we rceognizeto
be the policy Of all of our higher institutions
OF learning is worthy OF all commentator,
and we consider that II would be a great
mistake TO abandon IL or subordinate II 70
any other policy. But we do not coneede
that an indulgence In "in,electual diver.
sions Of highy.elegaut order" would
In any way jeopardze our educational sys-
ten. There can certainly be no harm in
putting an ornamental capital upon solid
column provided durability and harmony
are preserved. A little sweet along with
the bread and meat Of learning might
serve TO help mental digestion. In
our Efforts to be conservative IN
educational matters we should be careful
not to keep in a rut. Preparation Tor
Greek play would moi only be pleasant ana
wholesome mental training, but would
stimulate study Of Greek history and
Greek art. However, there is one especial
view OF the subject We would impress
that's, that successful performance OF
Greek play would do an immense deal in
The way Of securing for our universities
and colleges the recognition they are en-
titled 10 both abroad and at home. The play
would attract scholars from lloyerth c0un-
try, and be largely instrumental IN remOy-
ing the false idea that exists regarding our
standard OF education. II would show
the world what manner Of men we have
put IN our professors oJairs, aud what
character OF work they are doing. We
hold that Virginia scholarship and culture
can accomplish anything that northern
scholarship and culture can accomplish
and we think that the rendition OF a Grees
play would 60 FAR towards proving tina
we are right. The performance woulI
pay II II did nothing more than bring on
Greek lights from under the bushel
Nv 30 doing It would enable goo'
many vireinians to see that they hay
moderated our institutions Of learning ant
erred In sending their sons North TO b
educated. In conclusion. We would sal
that should 1t be decided by our other cd
l ucstional institutions 20 act upon our sug-
gestion !. Is TO be hoped that the authori
ties ef the University Of Virginia win re-
consider.