Third Hyde Lecture Yesterday

M. Anatole Le Braz delivered his third lecture in the Hyde lecture series before a large audience in Sanders Theater yesterday afternoon. M. Le Braz spoke of three kinds of Breton literature and showed the influence on them of those traits of the Breton character which he had taken up in his two preceding lectures.

Although Brittany furnished Western Europe with its legends of the middle ages, it is only in the 19th century that its popular literature has been given to the world at large. Yet there are three definite spheres in which the Breton imagination has wielded a unique influence. First is the legend: the country, its forest, its rocky shores, are peopled with fairies, sirens, and heroes, and the Breton genius has stamped them with a mystery all its own. To believe, one has but to read the works of Luzel. Its national legends are unparalleled, as for instance the tale of the lost city of Iv, whose bells are always ringing beneath sea.

Turning to the poetry of Brittany, M. Le Braz said, "Every Breton because of his national celtic traits is born a poet." The collection of lyrics and epics published by the Viscomte de la Villemaque in 1839 was ranked by George Sand above Homer, and a more recent collection by Luzel and Le Braz is even more surprizing. As an example the lecturer recited. the funeral ode written by Julien Cadonal on the eve of his execution.

The lecture was concluded with a review of the national popular plays, a priceless gift which the Bretons alone possess, and a unique outgrowth of the mystery plays of the middle ages.

M. Le Braz will give his fourth lecture in Sanders Theatre tomorrow afternoon at 4.30 o'clock