New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-07
ERNST CURTIUS.
THE GREAT GREEK ALSO AN ATTRACTIVE
ORATOR-FIFTY YEARS A PROFESSOR.


Berlin Jan. |.
In the broad halls of the Museum d Art, OPP
postc the Old Palace may be seen almost daily
at certain hours an aged professor followed py
crowd of students The smooth face OF the leauel
is classical in its outlines 1t is ishcd up by
large blue eyes seldom covered by spectacles'
The head surmountcd by long, silveY nan, Is
held high His figure is somewhat undeSzed' put
there is an air Of dignity power ana llsInc'ioi
about the man which, many would say, peu"Sc"
patrican origin. Here and there in the treasure
filled hall. he stops before piece OF sculpture
The students-among whom are gray-besE'eu h'en-
gather around him. The visitors who are lortu-
nate enough 70 be near close their catalogues anu
listen to a description such as few catalogues ever
contained. Silver-tongucd. indeed. ID the ora'or'
and even the Students spell-bound by tns speaker
forget their pencils and notepaper.
When Professor Ernst Curtius-for Is ne
thus leads his hearers about the Museum eNpiaih-
ing its sculptura beauties visions OF Ans'o.,e ~
the head of his disciples in the covered walk oi
the Lyceum naturally form in the observer
mind. And the pictur, is not inapt.
No courses OF lectures at the University are more
popular than those of this modern Greek. N'""e"''
OF all departments regularly enroll '"'i''
among his followers. ], has long been the ia'n'"
to speak in a trivial way-to be pnpll OF 'ur'iu'
II is praseworthy fashion, Tor IL results l" s''"0
GOOD 10 the students of the University Inc roo'''
in which he speaks are always hlled Inc empty
places on which Mommscn. even, often looNS "ne'
delivcrinr MS lectures are seldom by Curtius
Only DR.. Won Tretschke. the deaf professor
can rival him in attractive powers. Even me-
eloquent as hc is, does not equal Curtius J"
beauty and nobility of language. Professor Curtiis
hc
University. Professor kuno Fisher. the phoso-
phcr OF Heidelberg is probably thr only professor
in Germany who can rival him in eloquencc OF
language and rounded periods. No professor mas
snokcn oftcner on public occasions than he. NJ
anniversaries. dinners, Installations his voice Is
usuallv heard Proud indeed, OF him Is the Alma
Natcr and many are the times he acts rs It's
representative.
\ few DAYS ago Curtius celebrated the hftieth
onnycrsarv of his gradual ton from the University
of Halle and the people of Germany had ahother
opportunty 10 show the feelings they nave ior
him The Emperor decorated him, ana thanked
him in grateful words for the work when he mas
done. The University OF Halle renewed his d.
nIoua The various universities sent him adj
dresses The Academy OF Sciences conferred new
honors upon him. The newspapers devoted col
unns 70 work which he has accomplished leie-
Grams and letters Of congrattIlation came 10 MN
from various parts of the country. The students
gave him an Grafton. Dinners and entertainments
were given in his honor. Seldom, indeed, mas
teacher been distinguished by all classes OF MS
countrymcn But il all deserved Curtius
is the son Of wealthy patrcian family IN the Ola
IIanseaic CITY of Lubbock and is allied by marriage
to many iIlustrlouS and aristocratc families OF
Prussia. Following his bent toward elias
Of
opportuniy to visit Greece with Emanuel
Geibel. Carl Otfricd Muller and Professor Brands
before tie completion of his at the University
OF Halle Much time was spent in a sailing
boat along the coast of Greece. -Four years passed
bv before Curtus again returned TO his native
land lie devoted much time 20 tho study Of
The topography OF Athens and made the llarpor
Of Athens" the subject Of Lis graduating thesis
at Halle. The work at once gave him name. and
its success added to his determination 10 become
an authority upon the history of the classic country
His ambition has been fulfilled.
Immediately after his graduation he was called
TO the University of Berlin rs professor en-
traordinary. and his academcal career seemed
sured But his fame and scholarship had attracted
the attention of the King of Prussia, and when
n tutor was necessary for his nephew. Prince
Frederick William, destined at later day to wear
younc professor 10 assume that duty. lie did
So and remained with the Prince I'M
Ill lsl9 Ills influence, however, extended
far beyond that tine, and many students of the
character of the late Emperor attribute to Cur
thus the liberaty OF his views and the desire to
introduce 80 many reforms. As Crown Prince
and Emperor Frederick always treated his for
mer teacher with The greatest respect and dis
tinction. Their intimacy confirmed until His
Malcstys end and Curtlus was among the last
subjects 10 bid farewell to the dying Frederick.
After the future Emperor had entered the
University of Bonn, Curius was called 10
Goettingen as professor OF ancient history and
the history Of ancient art lie soon returned 10
Berlin. where he has since remained.
TO Curtiuss influence with the Crown Prince
after the Franco-Prussian due the in
r,rcst Of the German Government in the eXcava-
tons Of Olympia. The official report regarding
those excavations is now about ready for the
press and iis appearance j. awaited with impa-
tiencc by archaeologsts phloogists and other
scholars.
But, although the treasures discovered at
Olympia would assure forever Curtius's fame he
will not like Schlemann. be remembered for
those works alone. His pen has always been
busy. and his "Grcck History" History OF
Athens, and other works, have made his name
immortal He is still strong and healthy despite
his seventy seven years, and it is probableas all
certainly hopethat he may remain for many
years an honorcd member of the University of
Berlin.
n