Article August 6, 1904 Issue

The Conclusion Reached by Eminent Philosophers

EDWARD P. BATES.

In March, 1891, it was my good fortune to spend a few days in Athens, Greece; and, while there. I visited the National Academy the highest educational institution in the kingdom. Its buildings are situated on the high ground of the new city, are modern,and are constructed of pure white marble.

The Hall of Philosophy, which had recently been completed,was most interesting to me. It is a one story structure in the Corinthian style of architecture, its interior walls and the seats being of pure white marble, while it is lighted wholly from the ceiling. On the walls are several paintings of heroic size, vividly portraying the legend of Prometheus. Though the hall is not large. seating only perhaps a hundred person, its effect is strikingly noble and impressive.

After giving the pictures some study, I proceeded to the adjoining building, which is called the Musée, where I found the director at liberty and willing to give me attention. He very kindly showed me the most interesting relics, among which were gold coins of the time of Alexander the Great, and also others which are the oldest known in the world. I naturally asked many questions, especially as to the use of the Hall of philosophy, and the information, graciously furnished by the director, was novel to me. I had supposed that this Hall was used as a lecture room for classes of young men who were students in the Academy, but my thought was far too limited. the director stated that philosophers are, as a rule, men of mature year; in fact, many would be considered quite aged, and that they are persons who have always studied philosophy and made it a profession.

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