New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-03
AMONG THE COLLEGES.
HARVARD.
PREPARING TO PRESENT LATIN PLAY.


Cambridge. Mass. April SpccaD.-It Was an
nouncrd yesterday that the Latin department had de-
cided TO produce q Latin comedy. in which none but
student, will take part. The play selected for THIS
purpose Is Phormo OF Terence The cast OF char
acters has yet been fully completed. but work on
the play has already begun under the direction OF
Professor tircenough. parts will he learned be-
fore the end OF this college year but owing TO slow
work in perfec,ns such play. the performance VIII
not 10 he given until after the mid years OF 1894.
probably In the latter part OF February or early IN
March. The presentation will be given rs nearly as
possible IN the manner such play would he per-
formed In the time OF Augustus. No masks VIII De
worn however. The effort Will bc TO make 1t an
illustration rather than a modern dramatic entertain
ment.
This plan OF producing Latin play Will doubtless
grouse widespread interest particularly after the
marked suctess OF the Greek play which was given IN
1881. That the first production OF Its KIM IN
America and II attracted to Cambridge probably the
most distinguished gathering OF literary people ever
assembled time. People hocked from all parts
and paid fabulous prices for seats. The press OF the
country gave long accounts Of II. and London papers
even went so far To have tho news cabled 10
them. The event marked an important period at
Harvard.
The wonderful success which attended the efforts
OF the Greek department encouraged the projectors
OF the scheme to hope that something similar might
idea OF producing Latin play but it seemed too much
Of an attempt after the experience they had Just under
gone. and only recently has the plan maturcd IL
is. in a way. stupcndous undertaking. The average
person can little realize the difficulties which present
themselves. The point which has constantly 10 ne
kept In mind Is to give exact reproduction OF
the play as possible. and at the same time TO MAKE
II accord with the culture OF to-day. In the music
particularly, 1t Is very hard 10 reconcile the many
difficulties. strict following OF the old forms would
hardly pass with a modern audience: 1t would sound
ridiculous at tho least. while 1t would be frn'eS'
10 Introduce modern music. These obstacles. II IS
understood, have been overcome 10 great extent
and Professor Allen has composed some music when
Is thought 10 be near enough the ancient and at
the same time not strange to modern ears For the
Greek play fun chorus and unaccompanied dialogues
answer we'll enough. but this IS not true In Latin
play, which has chorus. Professor Allen VIII conf
pose the accompaniment which the parts may To-
Quire. the wood wind instruments taking the place
Of the ancient ibae The leading characters Will be
taken by men who have already shown marked pro
ciency IN college thcatrcas and the affair promises
TO not only OF the most notable In the coming
college year. but which will mark distinct
period In college life. the Greek play OF 1854 d'd
The committee which has in charge the erection
Of the Phillips Brooks House have already secured
subscriptions to the amount OF $4,000 or more.
Within few days they 10 begin Systematic
effort TO raise the necessary 100000 especially In
Boston and Cambridge. They have with this IN
v1ew drawn m n statement which shows very dear
" what needs the building is intended TO fulfil. 1t
is not merely to be a permanent home for the re-
leious societies hut there will lie two large nails
where meetings OF any sort may he held. providing
they IRE consistent with the character OF The bnnd-
ing There will also be apartments for the preach-
ers to the University. with the necessary culinary
arrangements and also rooms for the guests OF the
.ttv = ,,.iI o1s
needy students who live ri distance from college
and merely pass the dny In Cambridge. 1t Is hoped
through the accommodation allowed by TINS puhuhe
10 bring out the social side OF college life and to
furnish an attractive and homelike reading ROOM
The committee solics subscriptions. realizing the
great need for such building In the University ana
they make their plea IN the name OF that "chari-
table hospitable and humane spirit which Is nj
present unhoused at Harvard. and which Phillips
Brooks earnestly wished 10 strengthen by puhd-
ing like that now proposed"
The athletic season has been in full swing for
week. 1t will have partial lull for few Gays
while the spring is being held. but even 'heh
tn.re will he great deaf Of quiet but effective work
DONE On Tuesday the nine will start on Its Easter
trip SOUTH playing with the University OF pennsiyi,
vania, University OF Virginia. GEORGETOWN ' i,nv
Cambridge as usual, and also the freshman nine The
who have been chosen Tor ,nis Arc PAINE
NOISE Gonerman, Keefe Morton. Mccarthy. Grill.
n Kinghury and oMaey The i%n%r crew rSw ws apa
IN the training table last week. All the crews are
rov on the river and are gradually beginning TO
show better form. OF the class crews 'n5 Is at pres
ant doing by far the best The University crew is
Constantly icing shifted In It's makeup hardly row
Ing the two successive days BOB n Acton Sa
Weighs over two hundred pounds. lie is made to
work by himself and will not be given place IN,
less he can reduce his weight as low as 10 IL"
pounds. A., .oo,, n,
The Mott Haven team went out on the rack h Oh
Thursday for the first time this year Two uays
later than last year The track is III remarkably
GOOD condition for this early date. Fifteen OF the
most promising candidates will he taken 70 the Tram
ine table soon after the spring recess The contests
Al Mott Haven and with Yale at Cambridge are
likely to be much closer than usual