The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-30
AT ART CLUB
Miss King Talks on Life Of the
American StudGnt at Athens.

ladies afternoon" at the Providence
Art club yesterday was an occasion OF
unusual interest large and fashionable
audience being present TO listen TO talk
by Miss King. daughter Of Rev. Henry
M. King. ID. D., pastor OF the First Bap-
tist church. on the topic. "The Life OF
the American Student at Athens"
Miss King was introduced by Mrs.
Dexter 3. Potter. and spoke for three
quarters of an hour in a charming con-
versatlonal style OF her own personal ex-
periences while a student In Athens some
years ago. The story was rendered doubiy
interesting because OF the fact that 1t
was interviewer with many amusing and
delightful anecdotes illustrative OF the
customs and life Of the people there.
In beginning the speaker told some
thing OF the journey to Athens and her
experiences en- route. She gave some
description also Of the geographical and
climatic features OF the country with
glimpse OF tho people, their habits. char
acteristics and manner OF dress.
Continuing, she gave an extremely en-
tertaining picture OF days journey and
it's experiences as enjoyed by herself and
party OF students while "muling
through Greece" she naiveB ex-
pressed II. on this particular occasion
journey to tho historic battlefield OF
Thermopylae was taken on the backs OF
mules. and Miss King described the in
cidents OF the journey In most enter
tanning way, telling of the discomforts
endured and the dangerous journey along
the mountain sides OF the Parnassus
range. where yawnlng precipices and
jutting rocks and cliffs were frequently
encountered. Arriving at Thermopylae.
Miss King described the interest OF her
self and friends I'm seeking out the his
torical spots and the famous Pass or
Thermopylae, where the Greek army was
captured by the Persans. Continuing
Miss King described life in a hotel or
house OF sleep" as Ii is called I'm Greece.
She gave a clear picture Of peasant life
IN Greece and explained that the two
characteristics OF the Greek peasant
which impressed her most were his un-
bounded hospitality and his extremely
superstitious nature. Indeed" she said.
1.-The thing which one notices most In the
Greek peasant is his superstition and the
characteristic is not only strong In the
peasant life but extends also TO the edu-
Gated classes as we'll. The peasant still
believes that the forests and mountains
are inhabited by fairies. elves and mob
COLLINS as did the old Greeks centuries
ago"
MISS King also explained tndt supef
stition which prevails In all classes OF
society I'm Greece is that of 'the evil
eye" as IL is called.
Turning 10 another phase OF her sub
ject the speaker described the social life
OF the students at Athens with the con-
slant interchange of calls. afternoon teas
and the like. and the big golf course
there.
In concluding she described something
of her work in ascheology at Athens.
where in a certain cave was found half
buried altar and near by a shrine where
ancient coins, lamps, vases, plates and
other household utensils were toand
dating back 10 the hfth century and
showing conclusively that they had been
placed there ages ago. as offerings upon
an altar TO the gods. AT the close OF the
lecture a dainty tea was served I'm the
sketch room. Miss Bridge presiding at the
function.