The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-10
THE CHAUTAUQUANS.
Two Interesting Lectures at
Pacific Grove.
II The Glory and The Fall Of Rome" and
/" Marcus AureliuS."
An Entertaining Programme for To-Day.
Presentation Of DiplOmaS-Con-
cert and Reunion.
Special Dispatches to THE MORNING CALL.

PACIFIC GROVE, July 9.-Mrs. Florence VIII.
Jams lectured yesterday afternoon on "The
Glory and the Fall of Rome" Rome, she said.
Is the Eternal City-eternal In her influence.
Her period OF greatest glory came after her re.
publican institutions were at an end. The peo-
ple's party triumphed under the leadership OF
Julius Caesar. who was the greatest political boss
the world has SEEM and who, Immediately after
his triumph. overcame the party. The wisdom
and business of the Roman laws brought peace
to the empire. So rooted in justice were they
that their spirit remains with us to-day. Under
these laws peace prevailed everywhere. In
them lay ROme's real greatness. The spirit OF
the Roman was stern and rigid justice. Love OF
country-willugness to sacrifice oneself In its
service-was also characteristic OF the Roman
not of the great military and political bosses, but
of the rank and file.
CAUSE OF DECADENCE.
But the spirit of Christianity and true morality
were wanting. 1t was during the time of the five
good Emperors and after the tyrants had passed
away that decadence really set in. Wealth had
been increasing. civilization advancing. the
greatest OF philosophers fOurshed, peOple
abandoned themselves TO luxury. Ii was be-
cause the spirit OF the nation was dead i1 self
ishness and selflndulgenee that Rome fell. The
wealth that poured IN upon her was squandered.
The old gold coins OF Rome cannot now be found
In distant lndia. Let US heed the warning; let
US awake 10 our duty; let us build up the lives OF
our people, especially those OF our boys and
girls.
MARCUS AURELIUs.
This morning Mrs Williams lectured on "Mar-
Gus Aurelius." His chief power, she asserted,
was the moral power, He was not man of
genius. He sIudiousy sought for the means OF
building up his moral character. The events OF
his life were not so stirring as those OF many
q old R.a
was chosen by the Emperor Adrian as the per-
son most likely TO make good Emperor He
was adopted by the Emperor. Though sur
rounded by temptations In his new home he was
not Ovei come by them. at Is possible" he
said ITO lead righteous life even IN a palace"
His CANCELLATIONS" were not written by him as
book, but on loose leaves.
GRATEFUL TO HIS INSTRUCTORS.
He gives the first place among his good gifts TO
his mother. After his daily baths he would
spend hours with her up TO the time OF her death.
which occurred when lie was l6 years old. lie
gives her great praise for teachiDg him 10 avoid
luxury and cultivate hardness. lie thanks his
grandfather for teaching him to love truth. He
thanks his several teachers for their tnsIruc-
Tons; and finally he thanks the gods for de-
llvering him from the passions and Rppetites OF
youth Nowhere does he thank any one for con
ierTing on him the Injuries OF wealth, or even
the Ietnemeuts of life-he gives thanks only for
that which is coed He thanks the gods that he
never went to school. A knowledge Of the cOu-
dillon Of the Roman schools helps US to under
stand this. The schools consisted OF boys only,
who often led to the scho0l-houSes by their
slaves. Many of the instructors were Greek
slaves. who were subject to the tyranny and ex.
actions OF the boys, and were expected 10 pauder
to their love of pleasure. Until lie was % years
OF age he never spent night away from either
Ills mothers or his adopted fathers roof.
LOVED BY HIS SUBJECTS.
lie made himself loved as no other Roman
Emperor before him had been b. the people. AS
he going out TO war they begged him to
come out INTO tile streets and speak TO them,
Ia ial. b,ad tH FIR fIfrdA dava he Vanr IN
war with the Germans he raised the necessary
revenue by selling the wealth stored IN his pal
aces. rather than increase the taxes OF his poor
subjects. He lived at tile time when the average
enlightened Roman had lost his faith in the
gods. He regarded the Christians as obstinate
fools, because they would not sacrifice TO the
gods. lie never investigated their faith. but
shared In the phlosophic doubt OF his time
In the afternoon Rev. Selah W. Brown lee
In the evening Col George W. Balm of Ken
lucky lecIured on The Safe Side OF Life for
Young Men"
RECOGNITION DAY.
Tomorrow, Recognition day. the graduates OF
the Glass OF 80 will receive their diplomas
a bout one hundred members in the State have
passed the examinations. or these about twenty
nine are expected to be here tomorrow. OF the
remainder some Will receive their diplomas at
Long Beach Assembly, some at the new assembly
al Lake Tahoe, which Will be In session from
August lIth to 10Th, and others at their homes.
The special train from San Francisco viii arrive
here before the lecture which Will open the ex-
ercses OF the day. There will be d reunion OF
Chautauquans after the evening concert.
About ninety names have thus far this season
been entered on the register for Chautauquans at
The SecretaTys Office.
The conceit of the Orion Club last evening was
a refined entertainment and much enjoyed. The
club was assisted by Professor Plnkey, Miss
Anna c. Wallberg and MIR. Jackson.
Miss Jessica Calhouns class in elOcutlon ls
doing good work. Special attention Is being paid
TO scientific voice training.
Tie Young America Baud plays In the park
every morning.