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SENECA. 
By J. LANGFIELD WARD, M.A. 
March 3rd, 1908. 
Seneca was born at Cordova under the rule of the second of 
the Caesars, Caesar Augustus, he was a pleader under Tiberius, 
envied by Caligula, banished by Claudius and put to death 
by Nero. To show the state of Rome it is almost enough 
to note that four of these five died violent deaths. 
It was during his eight years’ banishment to the inhospitable 
island of Corsica that Seneca wrote some of his most charming 
letters, such as the letter of consolation to his mother Helvia, 
and began his tragedies. 
These tragedies had their influence on our early dramas ; 
for instance, Gorboduc is distinctly modelled on their style. 
They carry on the old Greek rules and employ a chorus to 
connect the different scenes by lyric compositions. A short 
sketch of the Medea and a specimen passage from this work 
were given by the lecturer. One passage in particular in this 
play has been taken as prophetic of the discovery of America. 
“ Every boundary is now removed and cities have established 
new walls throughout the world. The world travelled over 
has left nothing in the position in which it was. The Indian 
drinks from the cold Araxes of Armenia, the Persians drink 
from the Elbe and Rhine. The time will come as ages pass, 
when the ocean will relax its boundaries, and the vast earth 
lie revealed, the pilot will disclose new realms and distant 
Thule will no longer be the end of the world.” 
Some extracts were read showing Seneca’s views on educa- 
tion. On his return from banishment he took part in the 
teaching of Nero. The failure indicated by the result, should 
hardly be put down to Seneca, as from Nero’s parentage and 
surroundings no better success could be expected. Nero’s 
father himself, when congratulated on the birth of his son, 
