The New York herald., 1921-06-26

IlMON Of ATHENS. By W1llidnt Snake
speare. Stratford. William Sims & Co.
Ltd, London and Glasgow
ORD TIMON was the prize easy mark
of his time. Also he was known as
- something of a practical jokes. in(his
day. Like many another since he lived to
regret the ease with which his friends to *
his money away from him and also like
many another he learned to despise the
victims of his jokes.
1t really isn't much of a story and Mr..
Shakespeare can easily leave il out OF the
rext set of books he offers for sale al a
dollar down and dollar a week For one
thing II is impossible 10 put the play on the
stage the way he has written t. because the
board of censors would not consider It for
a minute. and IT is doubtful II the theatre
goers would stand for II even II they did.
Any one could get Tmon's money away
from him who told him he was a good chap
who dedicated poem to him or who asked
his opinion about a picture. II was soon
found out that if any one made a present
10 Timon the gay dog would at once make
the donor gift Of much greater value The
consequence was that some one was always
giving him presents
One Of his servants tried 10 tell him what
was happening TO his financial affairs. but
Timon just laughed and proceeded to tell
his servant some funny stories
When the crash came Timon decided to
borrow some money from his friends but
they all happened to be broke at the time
which made Il impossible for them 10 come
to his rescue. Then Timon decided 10 play
the practical joke on them which made
him famous In Athens and which caused
many hearty Jest at the expense Of his
victims.
He invited them all to a banquet When
the steamng dishes were uncovered they
were found TO contain hot water a custom
which continues TO this day in the Greek
restaurants when ono orders and pays for
soup. Those who have suffered from this
practice will be interested TO learn that we
have discovered IN Shakespeare's works that
It was Tmon who nauRurated g. thus set
ting an example for all Greek restaurants.
Well. anyway while the guests were look
ing questioningly at each other Timon be-
gan throwing the dishes at them. and they,
not wishing 10 he scalded beat hasty re-
treat They tried 90 keep the incident quiet
but tho story leaked out and there was many
a chuckle at their expense
Timon then left for the woods and became
a hermit in order 10 hide from his creditors
This is the part Of the story which we Insist
could not be acted You sec Timon took on
all his clothes and lived In cave We doubt
very much the propriety of exposing the
male figure on the stage. The nude female
has met with only Indifferent success. and
we have even heard some open criticism.
From this we Judge that the appearance NJ
Timon as Mr. Shakespeare describes him
would be considered Objectionable BY some
of our leading citizens.
One day Timon finds lot Of money buried
in tho ground but since he cannot spend
~ IN the woods. he gives il away 20 a Cen
eral who Is passing with instructions 10 pay
tho hack wages Of his army The General
marches on Athens and puts up such a stiff
neht that the Senator's decide 70 send for
Timon to take charge Of tho defence Of the
city. but when he finds out that he will have
10 put on clothes again he invites them 70
hang themselves on tree near his cave
They decline the invitation but the merry
fest Of Timon at their expense furnished
lot OF wit in the public drinking places Of
the city for many years.
Some years later a soldier while passing
near the cave Of Timon discovered that he
had committed suicide ana had then buried
himself after which he chisellod an epltaph
on a rock near whore he had buried him
self From this epitaph the AthenianS
learned that Lord Tmon had intended hls
Jokes and tests 20 be taken seriously and
that he really dislkcd them very much.