The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-18
GOOD HAROUH Al RlSCH|D.
CHARLES w. SEYMOUR DEscnrnIs
HIS GLORIOUS REIGN.
es rsime 81 the Mohamnedan
DEMONSTRATIONS Of Bagaaa, the
City 0f GoAr-I.anA Of Enehant-
aent In the 1APabiaa Nixhss.r

Another pleasant memory was left In
the minds OF high school pupils and their
friends yesterday afternoon By Ar Charles
Seymour's second lecture, hls theme be-
Ing Haroun al Raschid." Around the
name OF that famous caiipa and his capital
CITY OF Baxdad The wizard Of the Arabian
nights has woven subtle spell OF ro-
nance. spell under which almost every
young American has fallen in his read
ING. IL was noteworthy feature Of Mr..
ssymour's Lectures that II rather enhanced
than dispeised this romance Like the
work OF Scott or Macaulay. 1, took ad-
vantage OF historical and authentic facts
70 give a graphic presentation OF the
great character with which Ii had TO deal.
thus while his narrative OF Haroun's
lonely boyhood. his sudden advance to
power. the splendors OF mis- reign and the
gloomy Tragedy OF his death had ali the
interest Of chapter In the ARABIAN
Nights" II bore all along the vouchers
OF the careful historian, and so satisfied
Iuiiy the intellectual conscience of dis
young nineteenth century listeners.
With his usual care. Mr.. Seymour laid
the groundwork for his character sketch
by an able portrayal of the contemporary
condition OF Europe and Asia. He traced
the founding OF the Mohammedan power
and Its remarkable progress. This led
him TO speak OF the caIiphs, as the head
OF that power. and OF the way In which
they gradually exchanged the simplicity
OF their station as the representatives and
successors OF the prophet for the luxury
and splendor OF Oriental potentates He
traced the removal of the Mohammedan
capital from Medina. until finally 1t was
decided TO found city more splendid and
gorgeous than any that earth had yet
known. and a site was selected on the
Ttgris. and the city was laid out, called
at first the City OF Peace. but afterward.
III tribute 10 Its greatness. Bagdad. ths
City Of God. Beautifully, and with that
choice dlction OF which he is a master.
the lecturer described the spleudors of the
city. it's palaces. It's mosques and minarets.
It's parks and Its gardens. Its multifarious
flowers. its millions OK sparkling lamps. its
abundant supply Of water. Very affec-
tive was his contrast OF all these with the
former nomadc life of the Arabs in The
desert.
Naturally. his analysis led up to the
time when the Moiamfnedan power and
Its capital had reached their golden prime.
Deity then hs introduced the figure OF
sad and lonely boy wandering about the
streets and bazaars or the great city.
sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied
by single comrade. This boy was
Haroun. younger brother OF the reigning
caliph. Then came a touch by which the
ment OF romance. Haroun was hated.
prosecuted. His grandfather had given
him ruby ring. with the prophecy. Some
day you. too. VIII be caiiph of Bagdad."
Vainly the elder brother had sought TO
take this ring from him by force. Vain
ly no had issued orders that Il be taken
from him. One day, while Haroun was
walking alone. the captain. OF the caiiph's
guard appeared suddenly and demanded
. Il ets L. HrAx 1xk-
~ u he were going to surrender 1t. but
In an instant he had tossed 1t into tho
depths of the river, where 1t was to lie
buried for years.
Then came further period OF persecu-
ton and ~ actual want. At one time the
young man was meditating suicide. but
even while he stood by the side of the
river he heard the voice OF the muezzin
calling from the lefty minaret and sum-
moning the faithful TO prayer. and when
Haroun had FRUSTRATED himself q hun
dred times. tho evil spell had passed from
him. He went back into the city, past
the prison, where no shed few quiet
tears because OF ais old tutor who was
imprisoned there. He lived on his poor
crust OF bread In a miserable garrett. Ear
~ one morning he was awakened by the
same captain OF the guard. who had de-
manded bis ring OF him. The captain
the announcement. .The caliph Is dead.
and you are now the caiiph."
Impressiveiy. the lecturer told how
Haroun's first act In the early gray OF the
morning was 20 go TO the prison and lib
crate his old tutor. Then. IN company with
the latter and with his sole comrade. his
old tutors son, who had SO often accom-
panied him In his wanderings about tina
city. he went 10 the palace. One must
hca r. CO he oil Of
that palace To get an adequate conception
OF the most gorgeous establishment of ali
the Orient. perhaps OF all the world
His outline OF Harouns reign was al
once an Evolutionary treat and . grave
lesson In history. The popular applause
that met him when he assembled The throne.
his generosity toward hts friends ard for
giveness toward his enemies: the learn
ms and scholars by which he was sur
rounded; the spiendors Of his court and
OF his capital: all these were told OF in a
style betting the subject.
Then came the change. Naroun sud-
denly. after all these years. hethought
him OF his ruby ring that lay buried in the
bed or the river. He summoned all the
divers In his realm. He offered q great
prize for finding the ring. ard pronounced
a severe penalty IL IL were not found. All
In vain. He doubled the prize and the
penaisy. Still in vain. At last an old
man came forward and volunteered TO dive
for the lost treasure. The cai!ph permit
ted him. He found II and presented Ii TO
his sovereign with the solemn warning. de-
Ginning the rich reward, II want nothing
but that you shall listen to my words.
Suspect suspect. suspect those of your
own house Fear. fear, fear those OF your
own kin. For those you now love most
YOU will soon hate most"
From that time HarcDn became a
changed man. lie grew morose. suspicious.
superstsfsouS. He went Gu famous pill
grimages. He went TO war. lie slew his
enemies and then t1raess upon his friends.
mindful OF the words Of the old DeFytsh's
warning The lecturer traced bis career
down through its waning popularity AMI
shossis shadows "a the sad death Of the
monarch who had reiSned In unparalleled
sriendor ever an empire greater than that
Of the Caesars. ard closed With neaati-
su tribute to gagtiaa AID the roraances OF
the Arabian Nights
The lecture tomorrow afternoon VIII be
on Frederick ,he Great. This closes the
3. rses. brit BY special reanest. mainly from
the teachers. Mr.. Seymour has consented
"a lecture tomorrow evening also. nis
theme being CLEOPATRA.