New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-07
MRS. CRAIGIE AT BARNARD
Lectures on "Dante and BotticeIk
Before Students Literary Society.

Mrs. Craigie ('John Oliver Hobbes'0, in
white lace gown, a white lace picture hat, a
diamond collar and an errnine coat, spoke on
Dante and Botticellf' at Barnard College yes
terday afternoon Several hundred rapt young
women drank in her words with every appear
ance Of delight. They were interested IN Dante
and Bottfcelli,> but 1t is safe to say they were
more interested in Mrs Craigte- The lecture was
given under the auspices of the Barnard Union
a literary society, whose members attended IN a
body in their caps and gowns. Joseph Choate'
late Ambassador to England introduced Mrs.
Craigfe II am glad" said he Ito see that there
is one other man in this audience l assure you
I would not have dared to appear here without
the support afforded by the presence OF Presi-
dent Butler It is the first time have ever APP
reared at Barnard, although L have been the
guest at various times Of that other ana lllieIo
portion Of this university which arrogates 10
itself the name Of Columbia It'll my pleasant
duty to introduce the distinguished woman VINO
has crossed the ocean for the purpose OF ap-
bearing before you this afternoon. myself am
rersonaI1v under great obligation TO MIS-
Craigie. for it was from her play The Am
bassador.' that acquired most Of my knowledge
Of the duties Of that office. Being now started
on an occupation which IS always enjoyable 10
me, it would give pleasure to continue ana
I'LL the time reserved for Mrs. Craigie. For
however.
therefore regretfuIly Introduce Mrs Cralgle.
Mrs Craigie's lecture was necessarily OF purely
literary interest, but was frightened mere ana
there by gems or Wit ana WISDOM app-iOS'Dio -
every day life. ,4,,
zone must be very healthy and very wealthy,
zra said "to live the simple life nowadays; the
poor can't afford it, and it would be too severe
for the delicate
In the days Of the great masters there was
no s1Icb thing as a picture hung in q bad hgnt
Each picture was part Of the great decorative
scheme of a building, and painted with ex-
act reference to the light that would fall on that
particular spot. The way in which we see ART
To-day IN museums, reminds me OF what ALBERT
HsIl would be with about eight hundred or
chestras playing different selections at the same
time
mo one ever seemed immortal TO his con-
terporaries, and genius is seldom ingratlatlng'
But although it probably did not occur 70
Dante's contemporaries that he was 10 Dc any
more immortal than several other worthy poets
whose names have not come down 10 u.s. they
thought we'll enough Of his political sense TO
make him an ambassador. Here again you see
q subtle affinity between the tlorenune ana lIle
American mind. You also take your men OF
highest gifts and make ambassadors or IheIh.
6sIOante studied law" continued Mrs Craigie,
cit is strange how frequently this has been the
case with poets and imaginative writer's. Boo
caccio studied law, and so did Goethe, Schumann
and BaIzac will leave Il to the legal gentlemen
present to explain the subtle connection between
the imaginative arts and the study or law
'ryYhen I see this city, which promises to be
one Of the most beautiful in the world, am re-
minded of old Florence old Venice and old
Athens; for they were brought to perfectlon py
their great merchants, who expended within
them the wealth gained in commerce