Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-04
LECTURES ON LATIN POETRY.
Professor Tyrrsii Begins His Course with
"Lacrctius and Epicureanism,"

The sixth course Of lectures at Rich.
mond College on tho James Thomas en-.
dowment was inaugurated last evening in
the Thomas Memorial Hall. The lecturer
was Professor Robert Yelyerton Tyrrell OF
Dublin University, Ireland, who dis
coursed ably and eloGuently on "Lucre-
thus and Epicureanism.
The beautiful hall had been especially
fitted up for this conrse of lectures. Ap-
propriate pictures adorned the walls, aud
the handsome rostfum was graced with
choice flowers and potted plants Despite
the incloment weather the audience was
large and representative. Among the
many prominent men present were Hon.
y. taylor Ellyson, Colonel Archer Ander-
son. DIR. John l.. Buchanan of Randolph
Macon College. John Dunlop, Esq, Rev. j..
W. Landrum. ID. D., Rev. ii. A. upper,
ID. d., Colonel Cary, Rev. Theo. Whitfield,
ID. d., and many others. The faculty and
students OF the college were present in q
body.
TIE POETRY Is NOT DEAD.
Professor Charles II. Winston, chairman
OF the Lecture Committee, introduced Dr.
Tyrrell IN q graceful and witty speech.
which called forth applause from the audi
ence and hearty recognition from the lee
turer. The distinguished Irishman said
that the kind references 10 his native land
touched him more than any words of
praise about himself, his university, or
his subject.
Epicureanism. began the speaker may
be dead as system, but the magnificent
poetry with which Lucretius clothes its
every argument is not dead or likely to
die. The English poem which gives the
best idea Of the Romans style ls Tenny-
sons Two Voices" Nowhere else in our
language ore poetry and philosophy so
beautifully and tremendously welded.
Lucretius was the high priest OF atheism
aud the apostle of irrelieion. The way he
thunders against the gods and goes out Of
his way to rail at their attributes reminds
one of the frenzy of medieval enthusiasts.
But the religion against which he pro-
tested was grotesquo IN the extreme. The
gods had become so numerous that there
was hardly room for men on this little
planet Men had lost their respect for
them and would often revile their statues
and deface their temples when failure
came IN battle or IN business. The doc
trine of future life was also discredited.
Caesar denied the immortality of the soul
in the presence OF the Senate. Lucretius
proposed TO abolish gods in the interest
of humanity.
Epicureanlsm discouraged learning and
did not even defend its own system. 1t
was the refuge of the upper classes to-
wards the end of the republic. and while
giving little. real comfort, did afford tenn
porary relief from the fear of death.
Lucretius discouraged love because 1t
tends to disturb quiet. He exhorted men
to keep perfectly cool and not TO fall IN
love. He was equally severe on ambition
and superstition, raving against all of
them like wild beast unclaimed. Other
epicureans passed lightly over death, but
LucretIus, like Walt Whitman. was in love
with delicate death. The true charge
against epicureanism is that it extin-
cuisines energy and saps all enthusiasm.
Lucretius wrote in verse because he wish
ed - make harsh truths less bitter.
PLEASANT TO HEAR.
The lecture was well received by the au-
dIence and every one seemed to pay rapt
attention. The language was chaste and
sometimes ornate. DR.. Tyrrell has clear.
well-modulated voice, but il is not pene-
tratIng. This Is bis first visit to America.
and he is delighted with our Institutions.
He has just received pressing invitation
to lecture at the University of Virginia and
hopes to be able TO accept.
Mrs. Tyrrell accompanies the Professor
and has already won many friends by her
unassumng grace and pleasant friendli-
ness.
The second lecture will be delivered this
evening at SIS on "Catullus and the Au-
GUSTAV Age" All the lectures are open to
the public.