Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-22
between the very far east and the countries
which afterward formed the Roman empire
Nonuscrir,f hv Cicero


DIR. Albert w. Van Buren,. fellow of the
school from Yale University, is working
with Father Ehrle upon the text and notes
of De Republica. written by Cicero before
the time Of Augustus. This is very early
and one of the most important manuscripts
of the imperial period. which has been fire.
ouently published in part, and Is a common
Latin textbook. but has never been printeo
entire or in facsimile. which Will De zone
by the Vatican press as soon as MI. van
Buren, has completed his preparations
The manuscript of Cicero's Republic has
had quite an interesting history. The DOC
ument was well known 1t was one OF nus
most important works but the text aDso-
IuteIy disappeared for centuries, ana NO
trace Of it could be found until about 4oo
wears ago. Some Irish monks In mon
astery in northern e. Italy sn and Because
of poverty or some other reason were I'M
able to obtain parchment. 30 they took an
ancient manuscript volume at RANDOM from
the shelves Of the library, erased the letters
so far az they were able. and then made
their copies with blacker variety OF NM
upon the same pages. BY some io[tunaee
circumstance their work came into the pos
session of the Vatican, and one OF the scnoi.
ars having become curious to know what
had been originally written upon It's pages
erased the lines Of st. Augustine ana as
covered the long-lost text OF Clcer0,s De
Republica The parchment was cleaned
with great care and Is now exhibited by the
s;da of the Oldest COPY Of the Bible and the
original manuscript Of Virgirs Aeneid in
the pope's library.
Helpful to the Students.
The authorities of the Vatican. and par
t,cularly Father Ehrle, the project of the
library. a very wise and learned man; Sig
nor Nogara, who represents the government
of ItaIy in archaeological affairs; Prof.
Boni, who is superintendent of the Forum,
are all very kind and helpful to the stu
dents of the American school. The latter
at ali times have free access to the mu-
seums libraries and other collections De-
longing both to the church ana the state;
they have the privilege of attending the
lectures at all the other classical schoois
In Rome and distinguished strangers VINO
visit the city during the winter are always
invited to the institution and frequently
| lecture. This of itself gives the student the
benefit of very valuable course OF lectures
upon miscellaneous subjects. ,,-
The French government is extremely lib
eral in its support of similar school wh1ch
occupies the ancient palace Of the ID Medlcl
| family. one of the most famous In Rome,
| with a beautiful garden which Is always
| visited by tourists. The German govern
ment is also generous In lts contripuCohs
| 10 the classical school, which occupies
| fine old villa upon Capitol Hill. overhanging
| the Tarpian Rock. where the ancient no
| mans used to execute the sentence OF death
| upon condemned criminal by pushing MIN
| over the cliff This famous rock is now
| ooHared with houses, and much of 1t has
| heen carried away for building material.
| The German school is under the direct su-
| nervision of the kaisers ambassador, and
| adioins the embassy. 1t has splendid
| library and close relations with the Uni
| versity of Berlin.
Support Of the School.
The American school has no such advan-
tages. 1t is compelled to rely upon private
generosity for support. and II 1t had not
been for Alison v. Armour of Chicago 1t
would not be In existence today. The diff
| Guilty of running a school 1900 miles from
| it's base, dependent upon volunteer sup
norters. who are absorbed by their own
| cares and responsibilities, may be appre-
| ciated, especially when 1t has no permanent
| endowment and 1t is the highest testimony
/ to tha LOYALTY of the members of the Amer
| ican Institute Of Archaeology that its USE
| fuIness has been prolonged and extended.
| IT has received valuable support from
| Martin Ryerson, Edward g. Aver. Charles
l.. Hutchinson, Stanley Mccormick and
| other Chicago people, and 1t so happened
that Alison Armour appeared in Rome at a
critical moment and paid up all Its debts
| and furnished the necessary working capi-
tai. Since then Mr.. Armour has given the
| school generous financial assistance and
| personal supervision. He makes frequent
| visits to Rome to familiarize himself with
| the work of the students, and Is in con-
slant communication with the managing
committee of university professors at home.
He was here the other day as usual to as
| has promised to come back later in the
year. The report Of the director for 1892
| says: ut Is great good fortune for the
school that. owing to Alison ArmOur's gen.