The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-23
A VERSATILE MAN.,
DR.. j. j. Walsh, Eminent as a
Physician and Scientist. Lectured
on Shakespeare Last Night.

DIR. James j. Walsh, formerly of
Parsons. but now of New York city
is man of great versatility He is
recognized as one Of the ablest writer's
on medical topics in the country, is
editor of tie Medical News and a
scientist of no mean repute. Last
night at the knights of Columbus
club house he showed that he is
equally at home as lecturer on Eng
lish literature.
For exactly an hour and half he
held the close and earnest attention
of the members OF the Catholic His
torical society in a lecture on "'rhc
Development of the Ideal in Shakes
pears lie talked wthout notes.
and though he spoke at remarkably
rapid rate he never had to pause even
for the fraction of II second for a
word.
He SAID that to form a proper idea
of the influences which had an effect
upon the poets OF any age 1t is neces-
sary to have a knowledge of the con-
temporary literature of the period in
which he lived. lie then proceeded to
give brief account of some of the
contemporaries of Shakespeare.
He told OF the environments with
which Shakespeare was surrounded
in London. which was just beginning
to develop. II was becoming some
thing more than the simple medieval
town it had been in the past. He en-
pressed il as his belief that the great
est dramas of literature have been
written amid the intensity of city
life.
He took occasion to compare the
dramatic season of 1600-160l and of
looO-la0l In the first season the three
greatest comedies ever written. "As
You Like It," Much Ado About Moth
ing and "Twelfth Night" were pro-
dured in London. but it was question:
able, he said whether the audiences
who witnessed them recognized their
ethical importance or had any idea
of the effect they would have upon
the literature of the world.
The three successes of the dramatic
season pust ended. 900 years after the
other season. have been Mrs. Danes
Defense" "The Gay Lord Quex" and
"Florodora." which could hardly be
spoken of In the same breath with
the other three plays. II am afraid"
said he, that this comparison rep
resentS the degeneranry of our times.
if there is such a thing as desen-
eracy."
The doctor took occasion to point out
what he claims is the falsity of the
contention made by some critics that
the Protestant Reformation had
marked influence upon Shakespeare'S
productions and also upon the other
literature of the sixteenth century.
In taking exception to this conten-
ton lie pointed out that the literary
giants of that age with the exception
IF the English poets and dramatists
were all Catholics. Germany. in which
Professionalism first secured ii footing,
bad no literature for over century
after the Reformation. he claimed.
He expressed il as his belief that
Shakespeare himself was a catholic.
1t had been definitely determined. he
said, that his grandfather was Il de-
Nout Catholic and in all the drama
fists works not a single word reflect
ing upon the catholic church can be
found. while on the other hand there
are numerous passages In which
Puritanist is made fun of.
He said that no less a person than
Carlyle. an avowed enemy Of the