Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-09
in HONOR OF JOHN MILTON
AUSPICIOUS CEREMONY IN NEW
YORK FOR BIRTHDAY.
Foremost Men of Letters and Other
Dignitaries to Attend Notable
Function This Afternoon.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. December 9.-While they
are celebrating the anniversary of the
birth of John Milton in London today in
the Church of st. Mary-le-Bow in sound
Of whose bells the poet was born 800
years ago. a similar ceremony will mark
the same occasion in the city Of New
York, in the Church of the Ascension, at
4:3O this afternoon. 1t will be attended
by a number of the foremost men of let
tiers of America and by representatives
of the civic government. the army and
navy, the churches Of New York and the
consular representatives of foreign coun-
tries.
Some 700 guests will be present by invi-
tation at the ceremony in the Church Of
the Ascension. Bishop Greer of New York
will preside. There will be a full at
tendance Of clergy representing the Prot
| estant Episcopal parishes Of the city Rep
resentatives of the Presbyterian, Metho-
dist and Baptist churches will attend.
The prelates and heads of the various
divisions in New York Of the Greek Cath
Ollie Church will be present, notably Arch
bishop Platon of the Russian Orthodox
Church. Bishop Raphael Hawaweeny of
the Syrian Church. the Rev. Metados
Koules of the Greek Church and the Rev.
Boghos Kastanian of the Armenian
Church.
To Make Addresses.
Richard Watson Glider and William
Dean Howells, as eldest and foremost in
honor Of American authors. will make the
chief addresses in honor Of the great Pu-
ritan poet. Samuel i. Clemens has writ
ten from his home in Reading. Opnn.,
that care for his health will prevent his
attending. He has instead sent letter
which will be read in his enforced alb
sence. Other addresses commemorative
the day of Milton's birth will be made by
Hamilton W. Mabie and DIR. Nicholas NJ
Butler, President Of Columbia University.
The British ambassador. James Bryce,
who could not come from Washington to
attend, has sent letter expressing his
sentiments upon the Milton tercenten-
NAL celebration. which will be read at
the exercises. Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke,
director of the Metropolitan Museum Of
Art. will be present. Ben Greet, the &C
tor. who will be among the guests of
prominence, will assist the occasion with
a reading of sonnets from those of the
great poet, to which will be added his
own selection of some other passages of
Millions verse.
The religious feature OF the birth cele-
bration of him who was the poet of Puri-
tan devotion will not be prominent.
Music Distinctive Feature.
1t is evident upon view of the pro-
gram that those who prepared the cere-
monies. bearing in mind the poets own
preferences. decided especially to accede
to them in the favOring of music.
The choirs joined will sing the compost
tons of Handel. whose music in England
was heard in Millions time and doubt
less came to Millions ear, as we'll as the
music of Henry Lawes. the English COM
poser. Millions own early friend
Unusual preparations have been made
for the music of the tercentenniaI The
three choirs. scrupulously drilled for the
performance, have. besides the church
organ. to support them a string orchestra
made up OF members levied among the
symphony orchestras of the city