Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
The International Congress Of 0rien-
talists at Stockholm
UNITE PLEASURE AND BUSINESS.
A Banquet in the Magnificent Hall Of a
Swedish University.
KING OSCAR AT AN EVENING FETE
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the different sections. A long special train
was provided without charge for an excur-
sion to Upsala, the historical center of the
Swedish nation, and the site of its great uni
versity. On the train the members, who are
beginning to be better acquainted, mingled
promiscuously without much national dis
tinction. In our carriage, for instance,
there were German, Dutch, American and
Portuguese professors, an Italian Count and
Parsee high priest, but the unity of the
republic OF letters was shown by the general
and lively conversation on pathological sub
jects-which, by the way, was mostly in
French.
The ride was over fertile plain, and
the repose and beauty of the lanl-
scape about Upsala suggested its suitable
ness as place for quiet, studious LIE.
lew miles beyond the city is the site Of
CAMILLA U psala (Old Upsala) where the first
festivities OF the day were to be held. Here
was the residence OF the Kings Of Sweden ID
heather times; here have been found runic
inscriptions and numerous remains OF the
early ages of man in the North; here Christi
anitv had its longest and most decisive
battle with the old Morse mythology aid
superstition. Upon the plain are maly
small burial mounds, and three ofgreat size,
traditionally the graves oil the gods Odin,
Thor and Freya. A rudely built stoae
church stands upon the spot once coversd
by famous heather temple. As the train
approached We saw upon the top of the b II
| oil Odin the university student corps,
closely massed, and making an effective
show with their white caps and silk f.gs
and banners. We got out on long tempo
rary plat orm, decorated with standards,
bearing festoons and national flags, ai1
marched under a green arch to Odir's
grave, on whose slopes the whole company
iound room. In the valley atte ndants wee
placing great drinking horns filled with tie
MEAD OF THE GODS,
which, from long time, it has been a custom
to drink at this spot. On the hill opposite
were all the military bands from Stockholn.
playing stirring Swedish airs. Behind tie
musicians, and on the neighboring hills,
were clustered masses of people who u
sembled nothing so much as swarms of bea
As soon as our large company had fould
place on the side OF the mound, which cor
manded wide view of the fertile SURROUND
ing country, the music of the bands ceasel
and Count Hamilton, the Governor of tie
province, made a speech of welcome, vhidh
the students followed by deafening four
of the King, presented to the Congress I
souvenir OF the meeting in Sweden, to b
handed down from session to session. This
gift was drinking. horn, of the antique
Morse pattern. made of oxydized silver, in.
laid with enamel and decorated
with gold. 1t stands upon pe-
destal made OF three dragons, with
diamond eyes and bears upon its lid a
golden owl. Prof. Max Muller, OF Ok ord,
then replied in German on behalf of the
members OF the Congress, in his usual con-
else way. The occasion, he said, was one OF
great interest for its place, its persons and
its significance. The git was made to
representatives of the East and West; it
was symbol of their union for common
literary effort. He hoped that the King,
who had made this session so successful,
might continue his protection to future con-
crosses.
While the band played "Hor oss Svea"
students climbed the hill carrying great horns
of mead, an insipid preparation of honey,
from which we all drank, though most or
the uninitiated spilled more than they got.
Then the students on the hilltop made an
open space in their midst, from which Prof
Hedenius, the venerable rector of the uni
versity, wearing his gold chain of Office,
made short but effective speech inviting
the university, and leading the students in
CHEERS FOR THE CONGRESS.
After wandering about the mounds and
visiting the ancient church we were taken
to Upsala by the train. There the band and
student corps, who had preceded us, led the
way with flying banners over the cobble
stones of the streets about half mile up
hill to the university. The entire route was
decorated with flags and bunting, and was
lined by large crowds kept back by the DO
lice. The procession made detour to pass
the great cathedral, the finest in Sweden, a
high gothic building of brick which is un-
dergoing a complete restoration, for which
the State, city and private persons have
given 1000, 600 crowns. Passing many uni
versitv buildings, we came at last to the
splendid new Aula, the surprise of the day
to most OF us, Tor l should not know where
to find its equal in American or foreign uni
versities. A State which puts more sumptu-
business and establishment upon its educa-
tional institutions than upon its theaters
and opera houses, testi6es in very substan-
tial way to its appreciation of letters.
The building has good site, standing
upon the top of a hill and fronted by a large
open square. L. i, two stories high and $50
leet long, and is built of glazed brick.
trimmed with granite and sandstone. Red
granite pillars support the Irieze, under
which are large bronze allegorical figures
representing the four faculties: religion,
law, medicine, theology. Above are the
arms of Sweden on enameled shields, and
the arms of the "a provinces, and set in the
building are 40 granite tablets bearing in
letters oI gold the names OF illustrious men
who have been lis professors. The univer-
sty was founded in 1477, and has now 80
professors, as many assistants, and 1900
stu tents, divided into 13 ndtiones, accord
ing to the provinces from which they come.
Duelling is unknown in the university, and
a great deal of interest is felt for quartette
singing, which is cultivated here with more
enthusiasm and success, perhaps, than any,
where else in the world. The student
chorus which went to the Paris Exposition
OF 1867, took the first prize against many COM
petetitors, and another picked chorus has
just returned from this years exposition
covered with glory. 4
TOO MANY PROFESSIONAL MEN.
The same complaint is made here which is
SO general over Europe, that the excessive
number of young men who flock to the uni
versities is causing great over-crowding of
the professions. The tendency toward
manual and technical training in the lower
schools is looked to as a means of giving
relief.
We went in by spacious vestibule sup
ported by dark granite columns. and came
into noble hall, extending the whole
length OF the building and taking in both
stories. Magnificent marble staircases 90
up to the right and left. and broad gallery
containing statues and antique casts ex-
tends around the second story. The whole
effect is very classic and appropriate. Be-
tween the staircases is green marble portico
fanked by bronze caryatides, and over the
,,rtico is a tablet with the words: