New-York tribune., 1896-02-03
CLASSICAL STUDENTS HAPPY.
TREASURES THAT MAY BE BURIED NEAR
THE SITE OF CORINTH.
VALUE OF THE GRANT OF THE GREEK GOVERN
MENT TO THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN ATHENS
DEPENDENT Upon CERTAIN THINGS


Professor benjamin /. Wheeler's letter which con-
veyed in yesterdays Tribune the announcement
that the Greek Government has granted the
American School Of Classical Studies Athens the
sole right of oxcavating at Corinth has created
widespread interest among the classical students OF
the country The result just achieved is one that
the successive directors of the American school
have for years been trying TO bring about but
until now without success. Professor William c.
Poland, of Brown University. Professor Wheeers
predecessor In office at Athens, his return
this country, said that Corinth undoubtedly
rich field for the classical student At that time.
however. the influence Of the French Government
very strong in Greece and It impossible to
obtain for the American school the decided advan-
tage which It has just gained.
Local archaeolosists much pleased at the op
portunties offered by the grant Of the Greek
Government Said prominent authority on cas-
steal literature and history to a Tribune reporter
yesterday: the advantages accruing 10 the world
at large from the extensive excavations thus made
possible may be very large. indeed. Almost all
archaeoogists will agree with Professor Wheeler
that the site Of the ancient city of Cornth s prob
ably the most valuable spot in Greece for the pur
pose Of excavation.
"Corinth was at time the most populous and
prosperous city In all Hellas. 1t was the centre of
trade both for TIE East and the West. The public
places and squares were filled with fountains stat
ues temples and theatres When the city was
sacked 1t is we'll known that the Romans carried
away many of the works Of art TO Rome. but WITH
out doubt many Of them remain buried beneath
the ruins Of the old city. The American school now
has the opportunity of restoring TO the world these
lost treasures. provided only the funds can be Sc
cured The American public should realize the
great opportunity that presents itself, ana shouiu
see that the necessary money is forthcoming
prominent architect of this city, who is familiar
with the work Of the American School at Athens
said that he had not heard of the concession grant
ed by the Greek Government 1t had been known
however, that that Government had offered vau-
able privileges DR.. Charles Waldstein. the we'll
known American scholar. who stood high in the
favor of the authorities. and he thought that 1t
might be one Of these concessions that Professor
Wheeler's communication referred to- As to the
probable course TO be pursued by the school, the
architect in question indicated that there might
be some doubt. There has been considerable work
done by the school in this line since its establish
ment." said he. that has reflected credit upon It's
members But it must be remembered that the
American School at Athens differs considerably In
purpose from the schools maintained there by the
French and German Governments. The latter are
devoted TO giving practical experience in archaeo-
logical research in the field 10 students IN the
science who have already had half dozen years oil
special training in il in their respective countries
They go Greece and work in special lines TO pun
the finishing touches upon their study OF archaeoo-
gy. The American students. however; expect TO
remain but a year two. and their object is not
so specialized a one. being simply perfect their
general study Of Greek that they may return nome
more accomplished teachers OF Greek not sl'Sclal-
lists in archa Geological research The work OF eN-
cavation in the field Il 10 certain extent an ~ ~
reference with the regular course or STUDY III the
school The students have not the preliminary
training as a rule fit them for 1t. nor Is the
school otherwise equipped Tor the most el0l'Ii.
prosecution of it, There only TWO professors
Of the school resident in Athens-one PROFESSOR
Richardson, who IS there for nNe years, the otHsi
Professor Wheeler. there for one year l'r. W au-
stein is present only few weeks IN the spring
For this reason. since the completion OF th' SUE
cessful work prosecuted at Argos ana elsewhere
inc authorities of the school have felt that 1t was
desirable for the present to restrict It's acuVly 10
odd Jobs as il were. and not to UNDERTAKE great
tasks in the way OF explorations. , ,.,
still II may he decided by the American Ihs'i-
line1 in Professor Whcclcrs letter, especially If the
money l. forthcoming. There Is a further trouplr'
however in asking for funds for such erliofa'lohs'
They ar. very much like all other Kinds Oi mining
you may find rich treasures ana you may hot. II
not the subscribers to the funds may not unnatur-
ally ask why their contributions were not more
iuiiciously used. The explorations At olympia ana
ielphi for example places which offered Inc great
est nrOrnlse have yielded very small results. 10.
tho Expenditure that has been made upon them
fnar that Corinih may be equally uncertain The
CITY stood right In the path of coinn'rce. extremely
opcu TO pillage; and indeed one OF the rev thnBs
known about II is that u furnished 'o'"o statue, ior
the ornamentation of Rome which were carried Oh
by the Roman Nictors. ,.,.. ,
'..Uoweyer this Is A question for the institute OF
Archaeology TO decide. II the Undertaking ls h"guh
and is successfully carried out, II Will certainly re-
dound vastly to the prestige OF American scholdr-
which Professor Wheeler writes Of the possibilities
OF the concession, and hope that there VIII be money
and men forthcoming 10 carry on the worK 10 'he
brilliant results he predicts