Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-27
PEOPLE OF MODERN GREECE
Entsrprising and Thrifty Descendants Of
the Ancient Hellenic Race.
UP TO DATE IN ALL ESSENTIAL REGARDS
United states Minister Francis Talks
of &c Country 10 which He
IL Accredited while
in Omaha.

The first Anglo-Ssxon who ever wrote a
history Of the world gave Greece nearly
the whole front Of the book. then re-
pented Of his generosity and gave 1t not
even honorable mention" thereafter. And
practically every other writer after him
did the same. The High school pupil,
after spending the first half of Septem-
Der In mutinous dread and the latter nalf
In old Egypt, is detained in Hellas through
October, led to Rome in November, spends
Christmas with Charlemagne, and catches
a glimpse OF the land of myths and deities
again only in his April cruise homeward
past the scene of the Armenian massacrps.
At one time or another he may hear some
thing about the glory that Vas Greece,
aud the grandeur that was Rome" or
somebody with a good memory and an
acquaintance with Byron may refer to
those isles
"Where Phoebus dwelt and Helias sprung.
And burning Sappho loved and sung"
but that's all. The isle-surrounded little
peninsula that Is neither 30 wide nor so
long as Nebraska, having ceased to war
or to poison learned gentlemen with peb-
bles In their mouths, was relegated for the
younger actors and for long has dwelt
only in memory and the novels that con-
Germ themselves with romantic people who
can't love properly in the modern atmos-
phere.
New Life in the Country.
Now. however, there is hope anew.
Greece may get back into the book. Its
people have commenced to wear store
clothes and to beat Yankees at their own
favorite game of making money.
Charles 8. Francis. who for two years
past has been United States minister to
Greece. Roumania and servia, and who
goes back there this week. was in Omaha
last Wednesday and told of the interesting
changes he notes between the Greece Of
today and the Greece of thirty years ago
when he was there as secretary to his
father. then minister. Because OF his
diplomatic responsibilities he did not talk
Of things political, but he spoke freely Of
manne and customs, saying;
when I was first there nearly every
Greek wore the fustinella. that gsrb Of
loose blouse and short skirt and sandals
that has changed little since the time OF
Pericles, nearly 500 years before Christ, but
now only the very old men or those natives
far inland cling to 1t. The rest dress much
as do Europeans and Americans and the
change l attribute to their mingling with
the latter. Greeks are travelling more than
formerly and are, 1 believe. more refined
and more engaging as a result Of this and
Of the invasion Of Athens each winter by
1900 or 5000 of Americans and a lesser
number from various European nations.
Believe I'm baths.
Every summer many of the Weather
Greeks 60 to the continent-usually to the
baths, for they are still sticklers for
hygiene and firm believers in the efficacy
of water as a identifying agent. Every
year. too, many Of those who went to
America in previous years return to Greece
to visit old friends and old haunts. though
rarely to remain. They stay by the country
of their adoption.
1.-THE wealthy Greek is not the product
OF generations. but frequently Of one
generation. Their business ability is ex-
ceptional and some from small beginnings
Rmass fortunes in time to enjoy the benefits
in old age. 1t isn't much Of a place for
agriculture, but the little shops where the
wines and grapes are accumulated for ex-
portation and the imported manufactures
for sale are veritable hives of industry.
Some Of the fortunes are home grown, but
more frequently raised on foreign soil.
Yet with this commercial spirit SO we'll
developed and business instinct 30 keen, the
Greek remains artistic in his instincts and
passing fond Of his antiquities. The ruins
Of old grandeur are cherished as zealously
as they are guarded. New nnds are being
made every little while. but a special law
has been enacted to prohibit any antiquity
being taken out of the country.
Work of American Delivers.
1.-THE excavating is done largely by the
visiting scientists and archaeologists. The
American school. supported as a sort OF
postgraduate institution by a dozen OF
fifteen universities and colleges OF the
United States. is doing splendid and
effective work under Prot. Rufus B. Rich
ardson, formerly OF Yale. who is now al
Corinth with discoveries in prospect that
will be of special interest.
"Dr. schliemann's discovery Of the ruins
Of Ilium or old Troy in 1s69-7S has ceased
to be discounted anywhere and is proving
helpful in other work. 1t is an interesting
fact not generally known, l believe, tina
Nine. Schliemann. his wife, although &
native Greek. is an American citizen By
reason Of the doctor having taken ou