Prof. Lanciani's Lecture.

The first of a series of eleven lectures on "Roman Archaeology" was given last night in Sanders Theatre by Professor Lanciani of the University of Rome. Although an Italian by birth and as he himself expressed it "a stranger in a strange land," yet Prof. Lanciani's: pronunciation and command of the English language was surprisingly good, and his easy, graceful style showed that he was entirely at home with his subject. After a brief introduction by Prof. Norton, Prof. Lanciani spoke substantially as follows: The subjects I have selected for these lectures are all pertaining to the Archaeology of Rome, which is considered the "mater et caput" of the antiquarian world.

I do not know whether many among you are acquainted with the fact that Cola di Rienzo, the Roman tribune of the fourteenth century, is the real founder of the modern archaeological school, and that to him must be attributed the important share of praise and glory, as regards the renaissance of classical studies, which has been almost exclusively bestowed upon Dante Alighieri and Francesco Petraca. Archaeology is founded on an absolute critic inquiry, on the comparison of antique monuments and with written and engraved documents. Archaeology is a science which, differing from others, begins to repay at once the zeal of the student with deep moral satisfaction. It is a science so noble and fascinating that it helps wonderfully to form the character of intelligent youths, yet it is true that its study requires the spirit of enterprise, plenty of money, a subtle mind, and constancy of application.