THE SLAVONIANS OUTSIDE THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. 85 
so much as a whole as with the purpose of ascertaining the leading 
characteristics of the chief persons represented. 
Brutus was the hero of the play, and his character as depicted 
by Shakspeare was mainly dwelt upon ; his friendship for Caesar, 
so far from being a blot on- his fame, considering the part he took 
against him, was shown to have been an additional reason for 
admiration, whether we view him as a conception or as a real 
character — his unfeigned love for Caesar making what he conceived 
to be his duty tenfold more painful. His tenderness to his wife 
and consideration for his sleepy page were illustrated by extracts. 
Julius Caesar was not a prominent character. Cassius was referred 
to as a picture of a political conspirator in striking contrast to Brutus. 
Mark Antony was a clever, dissolute, and unscrupulous man, whose 
almost only virtue was his fidelity to Caesar. Some of the minor 
characters were considered, and the lecturer concluded by quoting 
Mark Antony's generous epitaph over Brutus. 
THE SLAVONIANS OUTSIDE THE EUSSIAN 
EMPIKE. 
SYLLABUS OF PAPER BY REV. W. S. LACH-SZYRMA, M.A., F.R.H.S. 
(Read February 6th, 1879.) 
The Slavonic race generally. The Russian Empire. Thoughts on 
first sight of the Russian frontier. Enumeration of the Slavonic 
races outside the Russian frontier. The Wends and Wendischland. 
The Servians on the Elbe and the Danube. Characteristics of the 
Slavonians, physical and mental. The Mir foundation of ancient 
Slavonic society; community. Aspect of the country in Posen. 
The Hradschin, or Kremlin. Ancient cities ; Posen, Cracow, 
Gniez-i-Prag. Oriental character of the Slavonians. Influences of 
Asia on Slavonic lands. Present tendencies of civilization. Modern 
Slavonic literature and art. Tendencies of the present day. The 
probable future of the race. Conclusion. 
