The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-23
AN INTERESTING LECTURE.
Mr.. 7. Marion Crawford Meets With a
FlatteFinS Reception,
THE SECOND IN THE LYCEUH COURSE
The Distinguished Author carries MOST
Brilliant Audience Back with Him In
90 italy In the Middle Ages--Leaves
To-Day for Baltimore.

Mr. + Marion crawford. the American
novcust who has delighted so many reao-
ars with his splendid stories, was quite
-. a., his lecture on italian Life ana
All +" al the Academy last nisht, .,,.
mo audience was large ana fashionaple'
and the lecturer with ms Mds..tiS .eia
iycrv and handsome stage presence helo
tno close attention OF all those pieseh'
from tho opening 20 the close OF MS to
marks. ~, -. ,,o ,,aeeos
NJ intelligent readers that as "a rule "a me
writer Is seldom an acceptable spcdhtI'
but the rule does not apply ID MI ~i""
iis Intelligent conception OF the mat
ror which he undertook TO interpfet was
Pleasantly appreciated by the aueleiye,
pnd at times they were thrileu by ms
descriptions Of scenes Ia Italy during the
tioodv Middle AGES. when no ones life
was his own. and when the cruel stony
hearted harons played with peoples lives
es they would chess. ....,
BEAUTIFUL DISCOURSE.
Not one OF the large audience that en-
flowed Mr. Crawfords lecture last night
viii fan 10 uc Deucnttcn thercDy. Ills nls-
course was full OF historical facts and
actual occurrences. and was the more
valuable 10 his auditors from the Iact
that Mr. Crawford himself mas lived upon
the spot OF many OF the grim deeds on
tuos. fearful times, ana he mas STUDIED
the records that have been handed down
from generation 60 generation.
Ills description OF m days events IN the
Middle Ages was most Interesting Ana
his picture of the old castles ana lott
rcsscs. some Of which exist even 10 tne
present time, were worthy Of the pen ne
wiclds FOO his happiest moments, whth MS
stories are put upon paper Win the true
air crawford carried his audience with
him through one Of those grim, uItaI4
dats-drcary with visions OF Dante III
ferno and other creepy classics. ny
chs |'..r. oil no
etrcaks OF early dawn lighting up the nor
ZION. and the poor Water-carrlcr tfudginA
along with his sacks OF water struhs
across the back Of his weak, ovcrWorkcd
donkey. and falling over the dead body OF
some unhappy victim 90 the OOd-thirsty
horde OF TctalnCrs that follow az the beck
and call OF the cruel baron who occupies
the d.ngy castle hard by The water
carrier hurriCs on 10 avoid being suspect
cd of the murder of the man AT his feet
and then at the ponderOus gates Of the
castle The laundering knock Of the ma
Tauding horde I'm from their nightly rmd
IS heard and the sleepy keeper unfastens
the bolts and let's them I'm, covered with
mud and Crime ana sometimes blood, Just
as the Aneclus Is heard ringing from the
nciEhh0rlug tower
THE WICKED OLD BARON.
The crowd passes into the inner court.
End from the gallery above they are well
coined ON one side 10y the matrOns and
maids. and on the other by the rctaners,
who have not veuturcd out and the old,
hH
the news OF the night. And then they
push and hustle. with their heavy, clank-
ing amor. rafting upon the early morn
ing air. into the chapel, where religious
service is held. and then a. mcagrc break
1a-t is prepared and consumed. as few
stray beams of sunshine break through
the small barred windows.
THE Middle Age mother sits with her
son az her knees teaching him and instil-
ing into his young mind the one and great
idea of revenge. The boy. day after day.
s. taught 90 look forward 90 the day when
ho is grown nap and can take the lie OF
him who killed his father.
But happily, those days are past,
suid Mr. Crawford and naught but the
old castles and fortrcsses remain 10 tell
the horrible life of the Middle Ages.
THOMAS CRAWFORD son.
SIR Crawford lived in Rome with his
father. Mr. Thomas Crawford, the great
scultor. who designed the Washington
monument. now in the Capitol Square.
boo DIS youth and has frequently i'm late
years spent much time there, and hence
knows quite wei whereof me speaks. lie
has collected historical data 10 cover the
whole ground over which hc passes Ia his
delightful lecture. ana besides pleasure,
much Information cam be gained by hear
ing him deliver lhe same.
The LyCcum people are 90 DE congraiu-
lated ou the excellence OF their enter
talumcnts. and those who conceived the
idea OF such an institution are doing the
intelligent people of Richmond much good.
Mr. crawford goes to Baltimore to-day
where he viii deliver his lecture tonight.