Zhz THnlvergitE of CbicagoPflCC $J.OO FOUNDED BY JOHN D ROCKEFELLER Single CoplCfPer Year 5 ^ntsUniversity RecordPUBLISHED BY AUTHORITYCHICAGOGbe Tllniversit, of Cbicago ©ressVOL. II, NO. 24. PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY AT 3:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 10, 1897,Entered in the post office Chicago, Illinois, as second-class matter.CONTENTS.I. A Study of the Song of Roland .... 203-205II. Official Notices 205-206III. Current Events 206IV. The Calendar 206A Study of the Song of Roland*BY VIOLA PRICE FRANKLIN.II.Homeric touches in the Song of Roland. Althoughit is not known that this primitive French poet knewmuch about the older epics, yet many similar featuresof epic style are noticeable. The method of givingmessages from king to king is Homeric ; the one fromMarsile to Charlemagne is repeated almost word forword as originally given. Again, the custom of bearing a branch of an olive three in token of humilityand peace recalls the Greek suppliants in the GBdipusTyrannus.Very Homeric are the councils between the emperorand his nobles, especially in the long enumeration ofthe brave knights who, in their prowess, comparefavorably with the Greek heroes. As Achilles had hisPatroclus, so Roland has his Oliver ; as Nestor, in theolder epic, was celebrated for his wisdom, so Naimesis the wise one in the Song of Roland. The debatesrecall the royal dignity of the Greek nobles. In thesethe Teutonic custom prevails, the barons possessing* Extract from a paper read before the Romance Club, March17, 1897. only a consultative authority, while the supremepower of decision resta in the emperor, to whoseauthority all yield a willing obedience. The solemrresponses of assent, "It could well be thus," "OuiLord speaks well," unanimously given by the noblesare as impressive as the Greek chorus. Then the consideration for each other shown by the noblesalthough suggestive of the graces of French courlife, is another Homeric characteristic. The varieeemotions manifested in the Greek councils are presenhere, and frequently the debate is rapid and fiery witlindignant scorn, as that between Ganelon and RolandThe Homeric custom of making atonement whenever an enemy has insulted a messenger is reproduce(when Marsile humbly apologizes to Ganelon :" Unwise and all too hasty was I whenIn my great wrath I poised my lance to strike.This gift of sable take as your amendsMore than five hundred marks their weight in gold."This is followed by a peculiar feature of epic styhin the nature of the repetition of Marsile's description of Charlemagne, where the same speech is passe<back and forth between the king and Ganelon.The battles rage in true Homeric vigor, as the chiefon either side advance, and with insulting threats pregin their golden spurs, and rush together in single conbat. As the prince wins or falls so the vast armmoves to and fro. This characteristic can be tracethrough all the battles of the various Chanson degesfcFierce was the struggle between Roland and iElrotin the first combat at Roncevalles, as the French herienraged by the taunting words of his foe,204 UNIVERSITY RECORD" Bushes at full speed against JSlroth ;'His shield he breaks, dismails the hauberk linked ;Cleaving his breast, he severs all the bones.And from the spine the ribs disjoint. The lanceForth from his body thrusts the Pagan's soul."Could any barbarous Greek warrior boast of such ahorrible thrust as this, the first one by Roland atRoncevalles? Not satisfied with cleaving the haplessvictim's body, the relentless lance must even drive thesoul out of the body.This is comparable with the rage of Achilles overHector ; but it will be recalled that, " Hector's soulflew forth of his limbs and was gone to the house ofHades, bewailing her fate." The enemy left it untouched, free to choose its course. On the contrary,how much more terrible is Roland's vengeance, as hehurls the very soul out of the body. Not content withphysical ruin, the enraged warrior rests not until thespiritual destruction of his foe is also accomplished.What a superhuman force of imagery, matter controlling spirit !Achilles exultingly spake these winged words overLykaon, whom he had slain and thrown into thestream ; "There lie thou among the fishes, which shalllick off thy wound's blood heedlessly, etc ;" so didRoland, when his slain foe could no longer hear oranswer, triumphantly taunt him:" Go thou, wretch, and know Carle was not madAnd he did well to leave us in the pass.' 'A scene in the Odyssey rises before us, as the holyarchbishop, whose "saint's standard will not be permitted to stoop its wings," passes along solemnlyabsolving the soldiers, although he has no elementsfor the sacrament except simple grass and leaves.The treatment of nature in this epic is almost aseffective as Shakespeare's use of it in his dramas. Thesky is often used as a background for the imperialhosts, with their magnificent armor. Roland delighted to plant his white pennon high on a hill againstthe blue sky ; and the warriors were thrilled by suchscenes :" the sun its radiant beamsReflects upon the marching legions. SpearsHauberks and helms, shields painted with bright flowersGold pennons all ablaze with glittering hues."This primitive poet deserves credit for his appreciation of the more delicate tints of nature. His favoritetouch, Corot-like, is a suggestion of the subduedcoloring of the dawn. Over and over again, recur thefollowing lines at the beginning of a stanza, as if togive a setting of peace and calmness." At earliest morn, just as the dawn appearsFrom sleep awakes the emperor."Or it is the hero, Roland, who, as the dawn appears clear, ascends the mountain, in all his freshness andvigor. "One morning when the early dawn wasbrightening into day" reveals his close observation." The day wears on and vesper draweth nigh " comeslike an echo of the hallowed evensong in Morted'Arthur, and suggests the quietness of the twilighthour and the hush of evening, as other favorite moodsof nature.Yet the more terrible aspects of nature are used veryeffectively, for the action, like that in Prometheusunbound, takes place chiefly upon the heights in theclear pure air of sky-cleaving peaks.Many and many a time, like the recurring moan ofthe Miserere, is heard the refrain :"High are the mountains and dark are the valleysThe rock is black — terrible are the defiles."The poet skillfully emphasizes the vast height of themountains, and dwells upon their remoteness and desolation.The strongest effect is produced by that Lear-likeuse of the storm in France to announce the awful doomof Roland and his choice knights. In the hottest ofthe fight, when Roland and his peers are striking asone man, the scene quickly shifts to France where" an awful scourge prevails ;Wind, storm, rain, hail and flashing lightning boltsConflict confusedly — — — — — — —_ __ — — — — — — — — — no houseWhose walls unshaken stood ; darkness at noonShrouded the sky. No beam of light aboveSave when a flash rips up the clouds."The beholders " unwitting of the truth " thought theend of the world had come, but it was "dolour for thedeath of Count Roland."A scene full of pathos is the one where the heartbroken emperor seeks among the slain nobles for hisbeloved nephew," and finds so many plantsWith blossoms crimsoned by our baron's blood,By pity moved he cannot choose but weep."The religious tone of this epic is a marked characteristic. The French nation rejoiced in its religion, henceits national epic has many allusions to Christ and thechurch. The highest ambition of the emperor was tobuild an empire founded on Christian principles. "Hewaged war only for God and fought only to defendJesus Christ."The religious teaching of the Song of Roland maybe thus summarized : God is as a supreme judge whorules in justice, giving the victory to the right ; evil isof necessity self -doomed ; penance is required ; thesacraments should be observed ; a Christian is thenoblest type of manhood ; the helpful ministry ofangels ; and a certain belief in life after death.UNIVERSITY BE COMB 205The death scenes are hallowed by tenderness andpathos. Roland tenderly presses the cold corpse ofhis friend to his bosom as he carries him to the holyminister of God, who prays God to receive his soul inParadise and " mid holy flowers place it." The archbishop dies in an act of self-sacrifice, trying to bring adrink of water to Roland who" Disposes both his hands so fair and white,"in the form of the Holy Cross.All these scenes appeal to our deepest emotions andstir our hearts by their holy beauty. But the deathof the hero, as he, like Moses of old, bids farewell tohis slain peers and slowly wends his way up themountain, there to die alone with God, is sublime.With a prayer for forgiveness upon his lips, he devoutly joins his hands, and yields himself to God.Then the angels come and bear his spirit to Paradise.We think of the passing of Arthur, mystic andbeautiful, yet how much more human is this of Roland, whose dying thoughts dwell upon kindred, hisbeloved France and his God. Nobly dies the hero —victorious though vanquished.Official Notices.Registration for the Autumn Quarter of Resident Students will be held as follows:Graduate Schools: Monday and Tuesday, September 13 and 14.Senior Colleges : Monday, September 13.Junior Colleges : Tuesday, September 14.The Final Examination of Winfred Ernest Garrison for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy will beheld Monday, September 13, at 9: 00 a.m. in Room 36,Haskell Oriental Museum. Principal subject, ChurchHistory; secondary subject, Philosophy. Thesis : " TheSources of Alexander Campbell's Theology." Committee : Head Professor Hulbert, Dr. Willett, Associate Professors Tufts and Moncrief, and all otherinstructors -in the departments immediately concerned.The Final Examination of Henry Magee Adkinsonfor the degree of Master of Arts wil] be held Tuesday,September 14, at 3:00 p.m., in Walker Museum.Principal subject, Anthropology ; secondary subject,Geology, Sociology. Thesis : " Conceptions of Prop-perty among North American Indians." Committee :Associate Professor Starr, Assistant Professor Thomas,and all other instructors in the departments concerned. The Final Examination of Charles WilliamSeidenadel for the degree of Doctor of Philosophywill be held Wednesday, September 15, at 3:00 p.m.in Room C 2, Cobb Lecture Hall. Principal subject, Greek ; secondary subject, Latin and German.Thesis : " Quid de musices universal eiusque aliquotpartium singularum potestate H0OS aut IIABOS etexprimendi et etficiendi veterum GrEecorum scrip tores,imprimis Plato nee non Aristoteles iudicarint." Committee : Associate Professor Castle, Professor Abbott,Dr. A. W. Stratton, and all other instructors in thedepartments concerned.The Final Examination of Elmer Tilson Stevensfor the degree of D.B. will be held Thursday, September 16, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 36, Haskell OrientalMuseum. Principal subject, Church History; secondary subject, Theology. Thesis : " The Social Condition of England in the Fourteenth Century." Committee : Head Professors Northrup and Anderson, Associate Professor Moncrief, and all other instructorsin the departments immediately concerned.The Final Examination of Hugh Henry Hurleyfor the degree of D.B. will be held Thursday, September 16, at 4:00 p.m. in Room 36, Haskell OrientalMuseum. Principal subject, Church History ; secondary subject, Theology. Thesis: "The Founderof British India." Committee : Head Professor Northrup, Associate Professor Moncrief, and all otherinstructors in the departments immediately concerned.The Final Examination of Phil Castor Baird forthe degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be held Friday, September 17, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 21, HaskellOriental Museum. Principal subject , Hebrew ; secondary subject, Assyrian. Thesis : " The Method ofthe Prophets. Committee: Associate Professors Priceand Harper Head Professor Burton, and all otherinstructors in the departments immediately concerned.The Final Examination of Carl Evans Boyd forthe degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be heldFriday, September 17, at 3:00 p.m., in Room C 10,Cobb Lecture Hall. Principal subject, Political Science; secondary subject, History. Thesis: "TheDevelopment of Government in Illinois." Committee :Head Professor Judson, Associate Professor Thatcher,Professor A. C. Miller, and all other instructors inthe departments concerned.206 UNIVERSITY RECORDThe Graduate and Divinity Finals will be held inthe Chapel, Cobb Lecture Hall, Friday, September 17,at 8:00 p.m.Debate : " Resolved, that it is expedient for the Cityof Chicago to own sanitary residence buildings, and torent the same at as low rates as are consistent withgood business principles."The Senior College Finals in Public Speakingwill be held in the Chapel, Cobb Lecture Hall, FridaySeptember 10, at 8:00 p.m. The members of theSenior College Faculty present will act as judges, andas large an attendance as possible is desired.Current Events.At the Junior College Finals in Public Speaking,held in the Chapel, Cobb Lecture Hall, Friday evening, September 3, the Ferdinand Peck Prize of fiftydollars was awarded to Miss Marilla Parker, therepresentative of Division II.The firm of A. G. Spalding and Bros, has verygenerously offered prizes to the amount of fortydollars, to be awarded at the close of the Autumnand Winter Quarters for excellence in gymnastic work.THE CALENDAR.SEPTEMBER 10-17, 1897.Friday, September 10.Chapel-Assembly ; Graduate Schools. — Chapel, CobbLecture Hall, 10 :30 a.m.Visit to the Clark Street Mission, leaving Cobb Hall6:45 p.m. All are invited.Senior College Finals, 8:00 p.m., Chapel, Cobb Lecture Hall (see p. 206).Sunday, September 12.Vesper Service. Address by Associate Professor J.H. Tufts. Kent Theater, 4:00 p.m.Union Meeting of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A.,Haskell Oriental Museum, Assembly Room, 7: 00 p.m.Monday, September 13.Chapel- Assembly ; Junior Colleges. — Chapel, CobbLecture Hall, 10:30 a.m. (required of Junior CollegeStudents).Registration for Autumn Quarter begins (see p. 205).Material for the UNIVERSITY RECORD mustorder to be published in the issue of the same week. Final Examination of W. E. Garrison, Haskell 36,9:00 a.m. (seep. 205).Public Lecture : The Literary Life of ElizabethanEngland, by Assistant Professor Crow. Chapel,Cobb Lecture Hall, 8 : 00 p.m.IV. How Raleigh and his friends met at the MermaidTavern and talked of adventures and poetry, new booksand new plays ; and how Shakespeare defended his play-making "fellows" of the Globe Company, and theirway of making and setting a play. (Trade and art ofthe playwright.)Tuesday, September 14.Chapel- Assembly ; Senior Colleges. — Chapel, CobbLecture Hall, 10:30 a.m. (required of Senior CollegeStudents).Registration for Autumn Quarter closes (see p. 205).Readings from recent books, by Assistant ProfessorCrow, D 2, Cobb, 3: 00 p.m.William C. Wilkinson, The Epic of Paul.Final Examination of H. M. Adkinson, Walker Museum, 3:00 p.m. (see p. 205).Wednesday, September 15.Vesper Song Service on the steps of Haskell OrientalMuseum, 7:00 p.m. All are invited.Final Examination of C. W. Seidenadel, C 2, CobbLecture Hall, 3:00 p.m. (see p. 205).Thursday, September 16.Chapel-Assembly ; Divinity School. — Chapel, CobbLecture Hall, 10:30 a.m.Final Examination of E. T. Stevens, Haskell 36, 2:00p.m. (see p. 205).Final Examination of H. H. Hurley, Haskell 36, 4:00p.m. (see p. 205).Public Lecture : The Liter \ry Life of ElizabethanEngland, by Assistant Professor Crow. Chapel,Cobb Lecture Hall, 8 : 00 p.m.V. How Master Hemnige and Master Condell waited uponthe Earls of Pembroke and Montgomery to beg them tobecome the patrons of their project to print the worksof Shakespeare; and how they were graciously receivedand how the First Folio was thereafter printed. (TheFirst Folio, 1623.)Friday, September 17.Chapel-Assembly; Graduate Schools. — Chapel, CobbLecture Hall, 10 : 30 a.m.Final Examination of Phil C. Baird, Haskell 21,2:00 p.m. (seep. 205).Final Examination of C. E. Boyd, C 10, Cobb, 3: 00 p.m.(see p. 205).Graduate and Divinity Finals, Chapel, Cobb Hall,8:00p.m. (seep. 206).sent to the Recorder by THURSDAY, 8:30 A.M., in