to each of
the parts, naturally look to the care and attention of the whole. And
for this, some one may praise the Lacedaemonians; for they pay very
great attention to their children, and this in common. It is evident,
therefore, that laws should be established concerning education, and
that it should be made common.

HYMN TO VIRTUE

Virtue, to men thou bringest care and toil;
Yet art thou life's best, fairest spoil!
O virgin goddess, for thy beauty's sake
To die is delicate in this our Greece,
Or to endure of pain the stern strong ache.
Such fruit for our soul's ease
Of joys undying, dearer far than gold
Or home or soft-eyed sleep, dost thou unfold!
It was for thee the seed of Zeus,
Stout Herakles, and Leda's twins, did choose
Strength-draining deeds, to spread abroad thy name:
Smit with the love of thee
Aias and Achilleus went smilingly
Down to Death's portal, crowned with deathless fame.
Now, since thou art so fair,
Leaving the lightsome air.
Atarneus' hero hath died gloriously.
Wherefore immortal praise shall be his guerdon:
His goodness and his deeds are made the burden
Of songs divine
Sung by Memory's daughters nine,
Hymning of hospitable Zeus the might
And friendship firm as fate in fate's despite.

Translation of J. A. Symonds.

JON ARNASON

(1819-1888)

Jon Arnason was born in 1819, at Hof. Akagastroend, in Iceland, where his
father, Arm Illugason, was clergyman. After completing the course at the
Bessastad Latin School, at that time the most famous school in Iceland,
he took his first position as librarian of the so-called Stiptbokasafn
Islands (since 1881 called the National Library), which office he held
till 1887, when he asked to be relieved from his official duties. During
this period he had been also the first librarian of the Reykjavik branch
of the Icelandic Literary Society; a teacher and the custodian of the
library at the Latin School, which in the mean time had been moved from
Bessastad to Reykjavik; secretary of the bishop, Helgi Thordersen, and
custodian of the growing collection of Icelandic antiquities which has
formed the nucleus of a national museum. He had found time, besides,
during these years, for considerable literary work; and