Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-05
DIR. sTAFFORD's sUBERD LECTURE.
One OF the Most Interesting Ever
Heard i'm Richmond.

Inc lecture Oh Kew III. ~. j. STANFORD
of Washington, at the Academy OF Music
last night was one of the most mastery
and interesting analyses OF n great SUBJ
iect that have been heard In Richmond.
The wonderful oratorical powers OF this
eminent divine are too widely appreciated
for them TO be insisted upon here. Last
night he held his audience--a very large
one-in the hollow OF his hand. and there
was scarcely a moment during his adj
dress that one might not almost have
heard pin drop.
DR.. Stafford does not, however, rely
upon polished rhetoric anG superior clo-
cution for the effect he produces; his
brilliant. scholarly attachments, his keen
insight into human character and wide
research serve TO make his lecture on
Macbeth convincing and illuminatiyc.
DIR. Stafford was introduced by Mr..
John NJ. Higgins, and took up his subject
at once. without discursive preface.
Shakespeare's play, Macbeth" he said.
was the greatest effort OF that authors
genius II was unique and pre-eminent in
splendor and wealth of diction. He traced
the avenues by which tho play has come
down 10 US, and the process Of reconstruct
ton and psychological development IL
underwent in the hands Of the poet, which
tend to make it the most terrible OF tray-
edies. The crucial question OF the play.
said DR.. Stafford, was, why Is II that
Macbeth, a good man, Is finally led to
the commission OF this heinous crime,
To make him a cod-blooded murderer
takes all the pith and point out OF tho
play. Macbeth. the lecturer contended,
was a good man. and possessed beauti-
ful traits OF character to the very end.
This. indeed, Is the reason that the poet
wins sympathy for the murderer. The
long development OF the temptation 10
commit the crime, DR.. Stafford contends,
has been missed by 80 per cent. OF the
critics, and existed I'm the fact that Mac
beth and Duncan both stood in the way
OF election TO the throne of Scotland.
Macbeth hoped the election would fall
on him. but 1t lell on Duncan, and Mac
beth could not put aside the idea that
he should rule. Duncan was a weak king.
unable properly 10 uphold the throne, ard
Macbeth was called upon again and again
TO quell rebellion. Macbeth hoped TO sue
coed Duncan, who was an old man. until
the latter declared Malcolm. his son.
Duke OF Cumberland and lawful heir To
the throne OF Scotland. Then. at last.
Macbeth realized that II he wanted tho
throne he must take II. The orator paint
ed In glowing colors the struggle OF Mac
beth with this temptation, and the infiu-
ence Of the superb will and masterfuI
strength Of Lady Macbeth. Every tins
the Thane came into the presence oE
crime his better self was asserted. Mac
beth WAS forced into crime, said Or. STAFF
ford. and this makes him interesting.
Fate and metaphysical aid seemed to
against him.
One OF the most impressive points In
he lecture was Or. Stafford's description
Of the sweetness quietness, and tran
utility Of the scene when Duncan enter
ID Macbeth's castle. Not another author
In ten thousand. he said. would have
treated this scene In such a manner. lie
lwelt upon the struggles OF Macbeth's
conscience. and the influence OF Lady
Macbeth depicting tho scene OF Mac
Deth's sOliOquy. the dagger scene. the en-
rance OF Macbeth into Duncan's chamber,
md the climax OF horrors with tremen-
lous force and power. After the murder
he development OF conscience I'm Mac
Ieth and his wife was entirely different.
rho former rushed into crime after
rhine. but the latter acts no more.
The escape Of Banquo was planned by
he public 10 show that sin cannot have
gainst Fate until he falls az last.
Lady Macbeth, said Dr. Stafford. was
lot a coarse viragO She must have pos
essed great feminine charms. grace, and
'eauty. He euiogized the treatment Of
he poet In dealing with the last chaptcr
n her history. The eyes Of her body
ept, but the eyes OF her conscience
we're awake, and Der sufferings were
pathetic. How she passed
way II left TO the imagination but shs
vas consumed by horror. Banquo Is the
ontemptble character OF the play. DIR.
stafford contends. though nearly all
writer's make him honorable MacDun IL
he one manly. roundabout character ~
he play. and all sympathy and hearts
20 with him.
In closing DR. STAFFORD said that tbs
hay Is the greatest example OF the moral
aw In the profane literature OF the
World. and he drew from Il the lesson
hat there Is no consistency In the physical
aw, but the moral law is everlasting.
DR.. Stafford was loudly applauded when
Ia closed his lecture and only delighted
expressions Of appreciation and enjoy
nent were 10 be heard as the audience
eft the Academy.
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