Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-19
DIR. sTAFFORD's LECTURE.
he AnaIyzes shakespeare's "Ju1fus
Caesar Before Large Audience.

Before a brilliant audience of distinguish
ed students of literature and admirers OF
the exemplification Of modern oratory, Kew.
DIR. d J. Stafford delivered last night at
the Lafayette Square Opera House, his new
lecture on Julius Caesar" The effort was
a mastery one. deserving fully the i'm
mems success it scored. Continuous bursts
Of applause marked the eloquent flights OF
the speaker. while his reading OF the strong
CT lines given Shakespeare's wonderful
character provoked the greatest enthusiasm
On the. part of his hearers. The Lafayette
S..ulre Theater was filed. every one of the
many boxes being taken. DR. Stafford
swuyed his great audience through the
magic Of his golden tongue and held each
auditor speIIDound while he dramatically
gave expression TO the PASSAGES used IN
deIiuea.iou of the character. Many are OF
the opinion that DR.. Staffords lecture on
''Caas4r' ecIipses his eloquent and extern
sively admired discourse on Macbeth
Among those who ,Ipled boxes last night
wers Justice and Mrs. Mckenna, eX-Sen-
ator and Mrs. German, Mr.. and Mrs. A A
wilson Col and Mrs Reid. Mrs. Halsey,
Mr. and Miss Hemmick. Mrs. Henrietta
Sands the Misses Patten, Mrs. Ellen M
Eayn,. Mr.. Paul Frederick Moore, Mr. ana
Mrs. WagEaIndn and Miss WaSganan, AS
siS-ar. Secretary Ryan. Assistant secretary
Webster Davis Rev Father GlOyd, DR.
Gum II Atlanta Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. NJ Par
ker and Miss Parker. Mrs Simpklns. Mrs
James l. ksarbCr, countess l-iClItSi S4ut
Lr. Jules BOeufve, attaChe OF the french
embassy. and Minister and Mime. Calvo-
In introducing his subject. DR.. Stafford
declared that the history of Rome i the
greatest romance written. a thousand times
more thrilling than fiction The greatest
character and parsonage in all that wonder
flI his.ory-romance is Julius Caesar. 1t
Vas not possible, therefore. thar ne should
escape the notice of the great poet. He has
been the theme of dramatic writers many
times. but Shakcspeare's play alone is i'm
mortal
Continuing he said:
Julius Caesar which was formerly
placed by Malone in the year 1901 is now
with good reason carried back to 1901, and
lies IN point Of time side by side with
Hamlet The events of Roman history
connect julius Caesar with Antony and
Cleopatra. but the poet didnt take up the
latter till seven years later We must look
elsewhere therefore. for the meaning.
In Julius Caesar the poet gives us the
history and complete imaginative study OF
a man predeStined to failure who brings by
his errors ruin and disaster upon his cause
evils upon his country and death to his
friends. who. nevertheless, by spotless in
teErlty and stainless honor, wins. nOtwith-
standing. the uaadulterated and boundiess
love Of our hearts which no failure, how
ever disastrous, nor ruin. however great
can IN anywise lessen OF diminish. 1t is
better TO obey conscience than win yictO-
rtes; better to be right than have success In
the material world; better TO fail with Mar.
Gus BrutuS than succeed with Marc An
tony. and the world has taken the Laurel
OF victory from the brow of the conQueror