The Dickinson press., 1889-04-20
GREEK TREASURES
Whicl, America Wants and Is Searching
For-The Village of Castri,

For-The Village of Castri.
Wehave no wish I'd deprive the Hellenic king
domof good bargain, or the American repul-
lie OF ms many statues, and temples, and hronzes
and coins us it can discover, and it may be
that, by the purchase and removal of the lit
tie village of Castri the way might be pre-
pared for discoveries more extensive and val.
liable than any which have rs vet attended
modern explorers ut Delphi. But tho village
is n small and Insignificant one, and stands
on a narrow strip of ground between what
are called the ruins of Delphi and tho point
at which the spurs of Parnass,ls descend
pretty sheer to tho spot whence still bubbles
what is called tho Castalan fountain.
Honce the area to be eXcavatc,l, if we SUP
pose the villagers of Castli to be cxpropri
ated for tho purpose, is not very extensive
There is perpetual glamour about the
very name of Greece, and an added spell
round that of Delphi, which will make up for
many things the traveller might expect to
find and will not. For instance, he will find
scrub and rank grass instead of wood and
trees, and nowhere, save at the Castaan
fountain, or where the Plcstlls flows, will
find water. Greece is, as it was, IL somewhat
waterless land. Nor are the hills very strik-
ing i'll outline; aud the twin peaks of Parilns.
ticc But tho gulf of Corinth lies like a sill
ver lake below; and, with the help of an ell.
thusiastic Imagination tho waytarcr NAV
work himself into the feeling that his feet are
carrying him over sacred ground When lie
reaches Delphi, he will find as II recent visitor
declares:
Fallcn tablet, proSr;te column,
Solitude and silence solemn
The matrons and maiGens of Castri will
probably be washing the clothes of their hlls.
bands and brothers in the fount of Cast;lil,
with their kirtlcs welltuckcd up above their
knees. For the rest, there is some water
cress, few novels and Il Greek monastery
and church of liliputian dimensions, inhah.
ited and cared for by single monk
Are these present features to disappear, on
the chance of our American brothers finding
relies of the palmy days of Greece To re.
move the little squalid village of Castri
would be IL triiling undertaking for II com.
munity that has cleared the western back
woods, and constructed Chicago out of moth
Ing. Nor are they tn bc deferred by the leg.
ends that still lingcr round the place
Originally, it will he remembered, the ora,
Gle was delivered through the mouth of n
pricsless of tender years, sitting on the sacred
| tripod. Later. tho pricstcSs had to he 30
| years oil age. America, as the Youngest of
the civilized continents, will perhaps reverse
the arrangement, and plead its youth in order
to ingratiate itself with the lord of the twnng-
ing bow. AS for the Greek monk and his
semi-suhterranean chapel, its curious Icons
and frescocs of saints and martyrs, the OK
plorer from New York would soon make
short work of these. Hard by them stands II
splendid laurel or bay tree; and this might bo
turned to account by tho purchasers Indeed
might they not get all their money back
quite independently of any classical trou
vaillcs, by selling laurel wreatls from it to
all the distinguished" citizens of tho repub
lie, Of whom, as everybody knows, there is
such prodisious quantity1 What remained
might be disposed of in tho mother country,
where likewise eminent" pcrsonagcs have n
tendency to increase Mt marvellous rate
Take it altogether, tho scheme seems II fitting
and an opportlno one. Tho analogy between
tho republics of Greece and the American
republic is not, at first sight, obvious; but,
with littlo perseverance and good will, we
feel sure it might be made out There may
be some who will feel II lingering compassion
for poor Apollo; while others, less tolerant,
will DO disposed to wish that he still could
deal out punishment from his avcnging
quiver.-London Telegraph.