Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
SIX TIL ANNIVERSARY
CLASSICAL CLUB OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.

Prof Harry Langford Wilson of Johns
Hopkins University delivered an address on
Roman Epitaphs' last evening at the sixth
anniversary exercises of the Classical Club
OF George Washington University In the
university hall. There was a full attend
ance of members and several guests were
present.
The inscriptions on ancient tombstones I"
the speaker declared, "are open windows
through which we may look into the private
life OF antiquity. Through Roman epitaphs
we gain wonderful insight into Roman
lre Beginning with a reference to the
earliest type of Latin sepulchral inscrip-
lions, Prof. Wilson traced the DEVELOPMENT
IN Roman epitaphs until they became. he
assured his hearers, a distinct department
OF literature. At first. he said, there was
no poetic or artistic beauty In the lines en-
graVed On tombstones, there being scarcely
anything but the bare name of the dead
person and the time of his or her demise
Later poetical inscriptions dealing with
qualities OF character and moral phases of
me began 10 appear. In some cases formal
legal documents were engraved on the
stones.
Prof. Wilson explained that the monu-
ment5 bearing inscriptions to the memory
OF the DEAD were by no means confined to
the cemeteries. 1t appeared, he said. that
the Roman citizen, wishing to perpetuate
ms name and to bequeatf1 his deeds as a
heritage to succeeding generations, thought
TIL the placing of epitaphs in plain view
along the public highways would he con.
duciye to that end. Accordingly MANY of
the Roman roads leading from the cities
were lined with these monuments.
Varied in Character.
The inscriptions were exceedingly varied
In character, the speaker stated, ranging
from dry formulas to the most exquisite
production of poetic minds Some were
conversational in tone, representing the
dead as giving moral advice to the living.
while sometimes the living were supposed
to be speaking. In other instances the
stones seemed to urge the traveller to stop
and engage in dialogue. Some bore fear
full imprecations against any who might
dare to desecrate the tomb.
Prot Wilson was presented by Prof
Mitchell Carroll of George Washington Uni
yersity, who gave brief sketch of the his
tory and purposes OF the Classical Club.
Organized In 1900. the club 1t was shown
has steadily increased In membership. Ex-.
Guiding the members belonging to the pres
ent advanced classes of the university, there
have been ffty-six members of the club
since its organization.
Prof Carroll stated that eight of these
had married and that forty-eight others
twenty six had become teachers. three law
yers, five physicians and two minister's
Four have received the degree OF doctor of
philosophy He thought that these figures
bore creditabie testimony to the personnel
of the club. In introducing Prof. Wilson
Prof Carroll referred to him as scholar
of more than ordinary attachments.
Immediately after Prof Wilson's adj
In the library. where an informal reception
was held. Solos were sung with charming
effect by Miss Bethune and Miss Church,
Miss Birch and Miss Taylor being the ac-
companists.
Club and Mr.. Paul N. Peck is secretary.
Miss Adele Taylor is chairman OF the social
committee.