The record-union., 1892-11-22
ABOUT Old SPAIN.
The Arts and Traditions of an Inter-
esting People.
President Bernard Moses of the state
University Discourses IntelH-
gently on the subject.

GfOleSSOT BeTIldru MUSES. OI bhO SOP-NS'
"Art and Life in SPAIN"
AS an Introductory piano solo was
executed by Theodore Martens, gradu-
ate of the Royal Conservatory of Music
at Leipzig, Germany. Mr.. Martens rem
dered the "Grand Polonaise," from Mig
non, by \. Thomas, and responded to an
enthusiastic encore with other selections.
Professor Moses of the State University,
on being introduced, delivered lecture
hat showed very careful and scholarly
preparation, and which was made pecu-
liarly interesting and instructive by the
clear and concise phraseology of the
speaker and his mastery selection of the
most pleasing subjects.
Prof. Moses began by stating that
thoughtful Americans visited Europe for
the primary object OF studying and COM
pairing old forms Of government and con-
dltlons, while Europeans We're attracted
10 America because the land is new-full
OF new conditions and expectations.
Europe is most attractive to Americans,
he said, as being full of the memories,
traditions and productions of earlier
times. The northern countries Of Europe
appeal to the heroic instincts as being the
theater of many conquests and achieve
art, poetry and romance.
. Americans are drawn to Italy by the
lame OF the imperial city, Rome and
Venice and the glory of her grandeur and
arIstocracy, as IL once 1iourished, and to
other European countries for the varied
and rich results OF ages OF civilization.
Americans are peculiarly interested in
Spain, the land beyond the Pyrenees-a
land OF story and romance-because all
our castles are built in SPAIN" and we
nave learned SO many Of its traditions
and owe much to its literature and art
lie deplored some of the results of the
conquest Of the Arabs and the splendid
CIVILIZATION OF the MOors, III that much
was destroyed that can never be re-
produced. Entering Spain by the south
eastern port, Malaga, one is reminded at
nrst glance of the departed Moors by the
broken walls OF a Moorish castle, and
over the Slerras, when he is confronted
by the famous Alhambra, or in the valley
OF Grenada, where he sees the ruins of
Moorish art amidst the glorious natural
scenes.
The Moors had been in undisturbed
possession of the country for $50 years
when their expulsion by Christians took
place, and 1t is almost impossible for one
standing within the Alhamhra, to con-
ceive that the Moors were driven from
The scene so long ago as the discovery of
America. For centuries the Moors had
stood III the attitude OF an enemy to the
Spaniards, and it was not to be expected
that after their conquest much sympathy
or protection would follow for the pres
ervation Of their arts or architecture,
nevertheless both still affected that OF
Spain.
The Moors adopted their forms of ar
ckitecture largely from the Romans, and
their models were followed clearly. espe-
cially in Southern Spain. The influence
Of the Moor could be also traced in the
literature OF Spain, as in her art and ar
chitecture, and the lecturer compared the
struggle of the Moors for Spain with that
of the Trojan and Greeks.
The poem OF the "Cid' Professor Moses
placed at the beginning of Spanish litera-
ture, and said it might be called the
''Iliad' of the Moorish war.
He gave a description of the compare
tively Insignificant city OF Santa Fe,
where, IN l492-the same year in which
Columbus made his tateful voyage-the
papers were signed which ceded the land
OF the MOors to Spain.
In describing Seville he alluded 10 its
being city with three distinct classes of
civilization jumbled together, for there
was represented the characteristics OF
Roman, Moorish and Spanish forms OF
art, architecture and customs. The art
galleries of Seville and Madrid were de-
scribed. containing the famous pro-
AutllODS Ol huIlllO anu ' GlaSUueZ, the
great masters. Murlllo he deserted as
the great painter and Interpreter OF the
Immaculate Conception, of cherubs and
spiritual themes, while NelasQueZ was
essentially a painter of men, and after a
hundred years his work suddenly began
to attain prominence and to be followed
closely by students of the truest forms of
art.
lie described the great Cathedral of Sc
vile rs having been conceived and
planned by those who believed their faith
would abide, and he paid tribute to the
great thoughts of the architect whose
ideas were studied and followed centuries
after his name had been lost or forgotten.
In speaking OF the cathedral he referred
to the unique ceremony performed in ii
where, on certain occasions. eight bows
dressed in white silk slashed with red.
dance before the high altar TO the music
of the organ and that of castinets in their
own hands. During this ceremony the
priests and digmtaries of the church and
the congregation are bowed in PRAYER
During his lecture Professor Moses en-
larged upon the political condition of
Spain, and found much to criticize and
condemn in its political, social and econo-
mic forms. He thought the independent
spirit of the Spanlards had long inclined
toward a republican form OF government
but at this time the great conservative
element OF the population watched with
close anxiety the frail infant-royai as
though upon the youthful Prince de-
pended the fate OF the institutions OF
Spain.
The lecturer dwelt upon the effect of
the discovery and growth OF America
upon the cities of spain, and how that
country reaped rich harvest from the
new world.
The lecture, in its entirety, was one of
scope ana mprehensiveness and gave
q int a.t5r I
fitable evening entertainment.
a BANQUET.
At the conclusion of the lecture the
University Alumni Association OF Sacra-
mento rendered Professor Moses a han
quet at the Restaurant de France The
table was elegantly supplied. The alumni
present were Howard Stillman, presid-
ing; q. ". Pierce of Davisville; c. II.
Oatman, j. a. Heyman, Oakland: L. l..
Wharf. J. L. Whitbeck, ID. \. Lindlev.
G. T. Clark, J. Il. LaRue, Yolo County.
The feasting did not end until after IL
o'clock, and the speech not until
I:30 O'Clock this morning.
Speeches were made OH the work and
scheme of the university by Professor
Moses; for the State superintendent, by
W. II. V. Raymond; practical educa-
tional, H. Weinstock; the Lecture Asso-
citation. by Sparrow Smith: the press.
w. Pierce, first student from the Sacra-
mento Valley in the State University:
the commerce of Sacramento. bv ID. A.
Iindley; the public schools of Sacra-
mento, by j. II. Pond.
The affair was one very handsomely
managed and admirably carried out, and
as a compliment 10 Professor Moses from
his one-time pupils was a very warm
testimonial.