Treasures of Herculaneum

PROF. WALDSTEIN TELLS ART LOVERS HOW TO GET THEM.

Cambridge Excavator's Plan for an International Movement to Renew Work in a Buried City Which Promises Results Far Richer Than Did Pompeii.

Charles Waldstein, Slade professor of fine art in Cambridge University, England, lectured yesterday in the old Anson Phelps Stokes mansion at 229 Madison avenue, now the property of J. Pierpont Morgan, in support of the efforts that are being made to have the United States and the nations of Europe cooperate in the excavation of ancient Herculaneum. In spite of the storm a distinguished audience gathered in the library of the house to hear Prof. Waldstein. Among those present were Mr., Mrs. and Miss Morgan, Bishop Potter, John Bigelow, William M. Laffan, Nikola Tesla, Frederick W. Whitridge, Prof. E. R. A. Seligman of Columbia University, De Witt Seligman, Mr. and Mrs. William Barclay Parsons, Mrs. Cooper Hewitt, Mrs. Henry E. Howland, Mrs. E. H. Harriman and Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney.

Prof. Waldstein said that it was unfortunate that personalities should have any part in a great cause like the excavation of the art and literary treasures of Herculaneum, yet the newspaper despatches from Italy declaring that his plan had not been submitted to the International Society of Archeologists and that it failed to meet the approval of the Italian Government must be answered. The inaccuracy of these despatches was partly proven, he said, by the fact that there is no such society as that mentioned.

"Only an hour ago," he continued, "I received a telegram from the Italian Ambassador at Washington which says that the Italian Government still retains its freedom of action in the matter and that no final plans of any kind have been adopted.

"My plan is merely one to carry out the work in the most efficient manner. The excavations are not to be my excavations. No foreigner, as such, should ever do the work in Italy. The whole world should cooperate in the excavations. The treasures of Herculaneum must be brought to light; the question is how. The Italian Government is not poor, but no one nation can afford to do the work, because the city of Resina is built upon the old city.

"There have been no excavations since 1875 on account of the modern city being there. The whole world must do the work and pay off the debt that the youngest of civilizations owes to the oldest. What is found there will be placed in a museum on the ground, for there is no thought of despoiling Italy. The nations of to-day will not despoil Italy as did the northern barbarians of the Middle Ages. They will restore."

Prof. Waldstein's plan is to form national committees in each country, the honorary head being the ruler of the country. An international committee, which the King of Italy is to head, will be trustee of the funds and an international staff is to be appointed to consult with and help the Italian specialists on the ground.

Prof. Waldstein has secured the approval of King Edward VII., President Loubet, Emperor William and President Roosevelt for his plan. The two latter have consented to act as honorary chairmen of their national committees. Prof. Waldstein recently lectured before President Roosevelt at the White House.

No money has yet been raised for the project. As regards Italy Prof. Waldstein read a letter from Signor Orlando, Minister of Public Instruction, who has charge of such matters, showing great interest in the plan.

"I wish to begin my talk," said Prof. Waldstein, "by thanking Mr. Morgan for his hospitality, extended as it is to a great cause. My interest in this work is not merely archæological. Such a step as this would be significant in the history of the world. If we can bring the nations together to restore the relics of the civilization upon which ours is based we will do much to bring about cordial relations between the nations.

"Peace treaties, common interests and sectarian religion can never permanently bind the nations. Treaties do not last. Interests change, religion causes trouble. Race doesn't accomplish much. But the common civilization upon which our civilizations are based is a ground we can all stand upon. From that point of view I beg you to look at the subject."

He pointed out that Herculaneum is covered to a depth of eighty feet with what was fluid mud. A popular idea that the place is covered with a hard lava he derided. The mud, he said, has acted as an excellent preservative of wood, papyri, statuary and other objects, whereas the ashes that covered Pompeii were destructive. Besides, many of the residents of Pompeii went back after the eruption and recovered their property, while the depth to which Herculaneum was buried prevented that.

Pompeii, he said, was a provincial town, while Herculaneum contained the villas of many of the greatest Romans. Herculaneum, too, was a Greek town, and up to the time of its destruction retained its Hellenic character and attracted Greek artists and writers.

"Here we will find life arrested at its highest point," said Prof. Waldstein. "In one house alone sixty-five copies of one work on epicurean philosophy were discovered. Compared with Herculaneum, Pompeii was an illiterate town. May we not find in Herculaneum the lost books of Livy, the great dramatists and new light on the early history of Christianity?"

Stereopticon pictures of the objects found in one villa prior to the cessation of work in 1875 were shown. They included bronze heads of dancing maidens and of philosophers, marble heads, heads of Homer, repoussé work, vases and household scales. Prof. Waldstein pointed out that even the scales were unusually artistic.