The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-26
THE GREAT MAN OF moDERs GREECE.
A Visit to DR. Schiiemann in His Athenian
Palace.

Palace.
Christian Union.
I called upon Dr. Henry Schliemann at his
aristocratic marble palace In which the discov-
erer of the ruins of Troy is more sumptuousiy
lodged than were the Grecian kings who con-
quered that ely the top of the superb pile Is
crowned By statues OF the poets, philosophers,
and Statesmen of ancient Greece. The front
door was opened by Greek servant who spoke
French very we'll Sending my card, which
contained my Americas address. was shown
into one of the most beautiful Libraries in the
world The walls were adorned by exquisite
paintings, the sceaes Of which were chiefly taken
from Grecian history, while marble statues OF
marvellous loneliness stood in each corner OF the
apartment The elegant bookcases were sur
mounted by highly finished busts of Homer.
Plato, Aristotle and other celebrated Grecian
poets and philosophers. DR.. Schhemann IS
a German by birth, bnt Greece is the
ongh a Grecian has he become that he
has chosen the language of ancient Greece for
the language of his house, and has given all
Pelops. and his cook Jocassee. The Doctor
married Greek lady who possesses in re-
markable degree that wondrous beauty of face
and figure which in ancient times inpired the
genius whose beautiful marble goddesses have
been the admiration and despair of all succeed
ing ages. Beauty is hereditary in Greece Mime.
keepsr, but she has all the grace and bearing
of a born queen. And, what is rare
among her country women of the present day,
she possesses intellectual gifts of
high order. Her husband always finds in her
congenial companion and a sympathetic friend.
They have two children, and. according to the
classic tastes of the father the boy bears the
name of Agamemnon. ana the girl is called
Andromsche. The latter is seventeen years old,
and exauisitely beautiful that as she glided
across the marble hall l fancied one of the
Graces had escaped from hcr marble imprison-
ment, and. like Pygmalions statue of ivory, had
assumed the human form.
Notwithstanding DR.. Schliemann's classic
tastes and surroundings. he is very justly
proud of being citizen OF the United States.
He resident of California when that State
was admitted into the Union, and thus became
q citizen of the great Republic. His love of
Greece and her antiquities commenced when
he schoolboy by reading Homers stirring
account of Grecian heroism 81 Troy. At the age
of fifteen he was placed in a counting-room In
Germany, whore he worked hard for small
salary, but managed to money enough to
buy books. which he read in moments snatched
from Sleep In this way he mastered Greek. AS
clerk he was just the reverse of Hogarth's
Idle Apprentice, and his industry reward
ed by promotion and increase of salary, and, in
the course of time. he became a partner in an
indigo house. Having made fortune in trade,
he retired from business, and determined to
carry. out his lifelong. intention of ex-
300 in the work. His success has not
only given him a splendid reputation, but has
greatly increased his fortune The articles
found in the ruins have proved of immense value
to the historian and the archaologist, and have
been sold for large sums to the great libraries
and museums of the world. DR.. Settlements
princely 1iberality He is the leader of Athenian
society, and entertaius with royal magnifcence.
But. beyond all this. there IS classical aroma
about the whole establishment which is specially
charming to all who are interested in Grecian
history and literature.
DR.. Schliemann is sixty eight years old, but he
has all the mental and physical activity of a man
of fifty. His features are of marked German
type. Judging from my own experience, he is
very polite Americans visiting Athens. The
day after called upon him he sent me an invi-
tarou to a reception at his palace. Mme> SchiIe-
mann most graceful and gracious hostess.
The evening closed with a dance.