The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-12
TALK ON EGYPTIAN ART.
On. BRsxsrEDS LAsr LECTURE
ONE or TIE BEsT ~ THE SERIES.
An Interesting and Instructive Account Of
the Ancient Peoples Archisecs-
ure and Its Features.

The las. OF the series OF lectures DO
lyered by DIR. James Henry Breasted at
Richmond College under the Thomas Me-
mortal Endowment attracted large audi
cnoe at the college last night, despite the
unfsvorablo weather.
The lecturer took es his subject "Egyr-
tian Art" and the theme was treated in
most interesting way under number OF
subdivisions.
After an Introduction which prepared
his hearers TO take in clearly the various
explanations that followed. he treated at
some length the plastic and graphic art
CT the Egyptians and discussed the Ques-
zion whether or not we have any pre-
historic art. He referred TO many OF the
early productions IN this field Of study,
and spoke OF some OF the most striking
examples that have come down TO us
through history. The methods OF the an
cient workers and the influences that
shaped their conceptions were brought
out In an interesting way. and brief de-
scriptions and sketches Of some OF their
most celebrated works were given.
EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE.
Egyptian architecture was next taken
I'D. This proved 10 be an especially In
teresting division Of his subject. He re-
ferred TO a number Of the most striking
specimens OF architecture originated By
this most wonderful people. and gave
some highly instructive pictures and de-
scriptions along this line. The New EN-
plre Temple was touched upon. and such
details as materials. form. dimensions
and process OF construction were brought
out I'm an interesting manner. being sup
plemented by stercoptcon views which
gave the audience excellent opportunity
OF following the speaker r. his remarks.
In conclusion DR. Breasted said: I'm
summarizing the architecture OF Egypt
we note that the architect depended Tor
his effects solely upon straight lines
Just as I'm Greece. these lines with the
exception Of the pylons. are purely veru-
Gals and horizontals IN felicitous COM
blnation. In a country where the IN
tensity OF the light causes so much re-
Election that the shadows are destroyed
and the lines so skillfully planned are
lost. the architect understood how 10
color his surfaces so as TO emphasize
those lines. and this accentuated TO bring
out the noble mass OF the building as wen
as the lines which broke the mass. In
This no has been Initiated by the Greek.
In putting on those colors ne showed
himself master Of the harmonies OF tone
but marred the effect by the multlpnca-
tlon Of sculptured figures on the exposed
surfaces. which weakened the impression
by repetition.
NOBLE EXPANsEs.
But in spite OF this II Is the noble ex-
panses OF wall surface happily framed by
the cornice and base which make one OF
the most impressive features of the
Egyptian temple.
I'm one particular the Egyptian temple
&c in striking contrast with that OF the
creek: whereas the Greek arranged his
lovely colonnades around the outside OF
the hail. the Egyptian loved to mass his
mighty shafts within the walls and
courts. The effect in each case is charac-
ter,stic of the religion OF the two peoples.
The EGYPTIAN colonnaded halls produce
an effect OF vastness. Of overpowering
grandeur. Of sombre beauty; in that OF
the Greeks we sec the stately but sunny
beauty that speaks in their religion and
mythology.
THE Egyptian temple Is the reflection
"a us of the beauty that lived in the
heart OF our human brothers $500 years
ago. II IS their embodiment Of the
beauty and mystery OF religion, born and
cherished in hearts that have been silent
these $50 centuries.
A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.
''Not 10 detain YOU longer, l Will only
say that 7 hope we have seen enough TO
be convinced that our debt to this ancient
people is large one that our inheritance
from them. transmitted through the
medium or other peoples, often deserves
our recognition. our study, and our pro-
found gratitude"
DR.. Breasted made a fine impression
upon his hearers during this series OF
lectures. lie left last night over the
Chesapeake and Ohio for Chicago.