The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-17
LECTURE ON GREEK POETRY.
Professor III. II. Harris Interests 'u''"r'"
Auden e.


The first of the series Of University
extension lectures under the auspices oi
the resident alumni OF Richmond 'vi-
lege. was delivered last night in the lee
ture-room of Grace-Street Baptist church
by Professor H. III. Harris, Ill. H., Oh
the chair Of Greek of that instltuiio'i'
DESPITE the unfavorable weather,
very gratifying audience greeted the
speaker among the hearers being mem
bers of the Legislature. prcipals OF near
~ all the city schools. and many editors
professors. and ministers
Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, chairman OF
the Committee Of Arrangements intro
duced the lecturer, and expressed tue
hope that this course OF entehsioh rec
lures would awaken greater desire lor
higher education IN Richmond. lie salu
he believed a great many people would
be led by this means to recognize the
commercial value of education, even
though they viewed it from no higher
STANDPOINT. Professor Harris had been
chosen to inaugurate the course because
Of his high fitness and the sincere adj
miration of the alumni for him, both as
a teacher and as a man.
Professor Harris announced as his sub
feet, THE Beginnings Of Greek Poetry"
After some Introductory remarks, he
said that Greek poetry differed from
prose in three essential respects-tirst, its
form, which was metrical; second, It's
aim. which was imaginative; third, in
its era, preceding prose by three or four
centuries.
The basis Of Greek poetry, said the
speaker. was religion. in which should
be especially noted the Dionysiac. or
Pelasgian worship of Heaven and Earth;
the Olympic worship of Zeus and his
court. by the Hellenes. and Orgiastc or
Bacchanalian. form OF worship. which
was imported from Phrygia. FROM
union of the first and second Of these
sprang Epic and Lyric poetry; from
the first and third, Dramatic.
Its characteristics.
Professor Harris then took up the
characteristics Of Greek poetry and
noted especially that it was composed
not TO be read. but heard that it was
regularly accompanied by Instrumental
music. and that il was comparatively
poor in thought, but almost perfect in
expression.
Greek poetry. he continued. was divided
into Epic, Lyric. and Dramatic. They
differed from each other chiefly In the
fact that the first was impersona the
second personal, and the third a comblna-
ton Of the other two. in this respect.
Referring TO some Of the early bards
and their songs. Professor Harris said
that the cradle of Greek literature was
in Daulis, between Helicon and Parnassus.
Among the names that had come down
were Philemon. founder Of the DeiDhic
chorus; Eumolpus. organizer Of the
Elusinian Mysteries; Orpheus. the most
celebrated OF all the musicians. and
Alusaeus. descendant of Eumolpus, and
disciple Of Orpheus. These bards were
called 10 weddings funerals, dinner par
ties. and religious festivals.
I'm speaking Of the Had, the lecturer
said that it was d poem Of about 1850
heXameter verses commonly divided into
twenty-four rhapsodies. The scene of the
story was at Troy. with interludes To-
Gated at Olympus. The time covered u
few days in the tenth year OF the war
beginning with the quarrel between Aga
memnon and Achilles, and ending with
the funeral Of Hector. the interval being
filled with debates among the gods and
battles OF the heroes.
Professor Harris then went into a dis
cussion of the odyssey, and explained the
story. which he said was queter and
more beautiful than the Had, describing,
as il did. the adventures of Odysseus.
He spoke of the Hesodic POEMS among
which he referred 10 Works and Days"
which he said was a discussion of the
wrong and the right ways TO make
money. with calendar for farmers and |
navlgators, the "Theogony," the "Cata- !
logue OF Women" who in the olden time |
excelled I'm graces and accomplishments, |
and many others of less note.
The lecture was highly instructive. and |
was listened to with close attention by |
the entire audience.
The next lecture in the course will be |
delivered next Tuesday night at the same |
place and hour, by Professor Harris. His /
subject will be, THE HOmeric Question" |