the haunts of runners and of wrestlers, why near the statue of
Hermes stood that of Eros, and wherefore Socrates surnamed his
philosophy the Science of Love. [Greek: Philosophoumen aneu
malakias] is the boast of Pericles in his description of the
Athenian spirit. [Greek: Philosophia meta paiderastias] is Plato's
formula for the virtues of the most distinguished soul. These two
mottoes, apparently so contradictory, found their point of meeting
and their harmony in the gymnasium.

The mere contemplation of these luxuriant groves, set in the
luminous Attic landscape, and within sight of Athens, explains a
hundred passages of poets and philosophers. Turn to the opening
scenes of the 'Lysis' and the 'Charmides.' The action of the latter
dialogue is laid in the palaestra of Taureas. Socrates has just
returned from the camp at Potidaea, and after answering the questions
of his friends, has begun to satisfy his own curiosity:[1]--

When there had been enough of this, I, in my turn, began to
make inquiries about matters at home--about the present state of
philosophy, and about the youth. I asked whether any of them
were remarkable for beauty or sense--or both. Critias, glancing at
the door, invited my attention to some youths who were coming
in, and talking noisily to one another, followed by a crowd. 'Of
the beauties, Socrates,' he said, 'I fancy that you will soon be able
to form a judgment. For those who are just entering are the
advanced guard of the great beauty of the day--and he is likely
not to be far off himself.'

'Who is he?' I said; 'and who is his father?'

'Charmides,' he replied, 'is his name; he is my cousin, and
the son of my uncle Glaucon: I rather think that you know him,
although he was not grown up at the time of your departure.'

'Certainly I know him,' I said; 'for he was remarkable even
then when he was still a child, and now I should imagine that he
must be almost a young man.'

'You will see,' he said, 'in a moment what progress he has
made, and what he is like.' He had scarcely said the word, when
Charmides entered.

Now you know, my friend, that I cannot measure anything, and
of the beautiful, I am simply such a measure as a white line is of
chalk; for almost all young persons are alike beautiful in my eyes.
But at that moment, when I saw him coming in, I must admit
that I was quite astonished at his beauty and stature; all the world
seemed to be enamoured of