The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-12-13
THE sroDDaRD nEcrUREs.

The second of the seasons series of lectures by John l.. Stoddard at the Hyperion theater last evening was at tended by a large and cultivated audi encc. The ability of Mir, stoddard, of course, needs no word of recommenda- tlon. His lecture last evening was in his usual bright entertaining and in- structive style, and was on a subject of special interest at the present time The speakers theme was Constantino- pie. The views which MT, Stoddard eX- hibited during the course of the even- ing and his wltticisms and funny inter- polations were greeted with hearty ap- plause
 There is no time at which attention could more appropriately be drawn to the city on the Bosphorus than now, when the uncertain future of the Otto- man capital lends interest to it's past and it's present MT. Stoddard did not fail in brief and summary style to make the most of the political aspect of his subject. In opening and again in clos ing he referred to the strategic position of the city, at the gateway of Europe and of Asia, a position which in the speakers opinion was the strongest of any important city on the globe, In the hands of any owner by the impotent Turk it would become situation of im- nense advantage to it's possessors and a menace to their enemies.
 Mr,Stoddard approached the city from the Mediterranean, traversing the Sea of Marmora and casting anchor in the Golden Horn, the matchelss harbor of the city, which by it's narrowing chan mel separates Galatia, the European section, from Stambolt, the Turkish sec tion. On the famous bridge of the Gold len Horn the lecturer pointed out in the cosmopolitan crowd that throngs it rep resentatives of races and pationalities from every quarter of Europe and Asia.
 In Stamboul there are nearly 800 mosques. Of these the most famous and the most imposing architecturally is the Mosque of Santa Sophia, of Chris tian as well as Moslem interest. Around 1t, as well as around every other mosque in the city, rise the taper-shaped nin- arets, the most pleasing feature of Mos lem architecture. As numerous as the houses of worship are the baths and fountains, which do not lack religious significance to the Turk, whose ablu- tions form an important part of any religious ceremony. A first experience of the torture and subsequent delight Inf Q Turkish hath were. detailed hV the lecturer with amusing realism.
 The stereopticon views that accom- panied the lecture were very fine. By their aid the lecturer showed to the au- dience in quick succession the sights of the Seraglio Point, of the shores of the Bosphorus, of the Golden Horn, of the Turkish graveyards, of the many remains of the old Roman and ByZan- tine dominion.
 In closing MT. Stoddard dwelt on the ancient military powers of the Turks, which had given to them the European foothold they now so precariously pos sess. 1t was a question of time the lecturer declared, when the degenerate Turk would be forced to relinquish it, but in more powerful hands the city, he predicted, would become again 'The Queen of the World, enthorned in the Eden of the Easlt.''
 The next lecture of the series is to be given Thursday, December 19, next week The subject will be Napoleon Bonaparte" It will embrace his entire life from his origin and birth to the return of his body to France.