Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-06
A LEARNED WOMAN.


At the coming osntest for the chair of
archaeology at University College, Eng
land, woman appears among the list of
candidates for this learned post. The
chair is of resent origin. II was founded
tor Sir Charles Newoomb, of the British
museum, who is nov retiring after years
OF solid service 30 this and every kindred
science. The oendidature itself is no
mean distinction, says the London News
and whatever her fate In this contest,
Mis~J L. Harrison may always boast that
she was deemed worthy to enter for the
prize, more especially as one of her com
petitors is Mr.. Reginald Stuart Poole, OF
the British Museum. The fact of hei
candldature, however, is matter of
public interest, and il must be regarded
as distinct gain to the cacse of the
higher education of woman. The emolu.
menta Of the chair are not extraordinary,
though they are sufficient for the pur.
pose, but they are largely supplemented
by the honors which the position confers.
The csndidature implies the most serious
studies. Miss Harrison has made one
domain of Hellenic lore her own. There
Is perhaps, no greater living authority on
the Interpretation of the pictorial record
of the Greek vase. Miss Harrison's
lectures at the British Museum aud at
South Kensington have been followed
with broathl,ss interest, by large audi
ences. She has found out how to popu.
lerize science which depends entirely
tor its general interest on the gift OF
exposition. The Greek vase with It's out
lined illustrations, is Greek religion,
Greek history and Greek myth, seen
from the point of view OF the people.
IL was not always tho very learned, the
very distinguished or the very remark ~
able people in any way for whom the
vases were adoritied. The pictures had
to be put somewhere, and as the illus
trated magazine was hardly available,
they were put on the table service. The
ancient Greek learned all about the
Homerio cycle, the choice OF Paris and
the Trojan war from his dinner things,
just rs the modern Freuchman learns the
fact and fable Of the Napoleonic legend,
both jumbleo joYously into one, from the
plates and dishes bought at the country
fair. Miss Harrison has devoted the not
very numerous years of her life since
she left the NEWMAN, to the study of
these profoundly interesting memorials
of vanished past. They have revealed
TO her the secret OF tho Greek point OF
view of Gods aud men. As we have al
ready shown, this was not always worry
exalted point of view, or very profound
one, for the simple reason that il was the
view of the Greek 10 pouud householder,
who liked TO be on pleasant, companion
able terms with things human and divine.
It's perfect freshness and healthiness CON
stitutes one charm of those lectures AZ
South Kepsington, by which perhaps,
Miss Harrison is best known TO the
general public. BY more select circle
in England, in Germany and in Greece
itself she Ia recognized as a Hellenic
scholar, and rs generous benefactress
of the British school at Athens, whose
funds have been increased by the pro-
oeeus of many OF her lectures. She is q
devoted diciple of the retiring professor,
and to the erudition which no has i'm
parted to her, she has added powers OF
graceful exposition which are all her own
Even archaeology may be none the worse
for the service of a gifted woman who
knows how TO hold en- audience spell
bound by the charm of manner, while
offering them good deal more learning
than they can conveniently carry away.
One of the ledy's competitors, as we have
SAID, is Mr.. Reginald stuart Poole keept
of the coins. Another is Mr.. Tslfourd,
Ely, late secretary OF the University
College, who resigned that post some
years ago to study archaeology under
Mominsen aud Curtius at Burlin. A third
IL Mr.. Ernest Gardiner, director OF the
British school ut Athens, which has been
in working order for the past two years.
With these we have Farnell, the well-known
lecturer on chronological subjects at OK
ford and Mr.. Penrose, an eminent arohi.
tec' and antiquarian. Miss Harrison has
done no mean service 10 her sex in entor
ing the lists .galnst candidates of this
stamp Our countrymen, not 20 say 1t
unkindly OF them, have TO grow aceu3tom
ed TO he sight OF women greatly daring
in this way. when they have grown
accustomed TO it, a cause which, on account
OF the association OF ideas in nomen-
cla,ure, VIC do not like exactly like TO call
that OF the emancipation OF women, will
have been almost won.