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Show CABIRIA AND FULVIUS "Have you seen 'Cabiria'?" the Bookworm asked me the other day, writes the Stroller in Town Talk. I replied that I had and that it was the best moving picture I had ever seen. "A wonderful picture indeed," agreed the Bookworm, "but it's rather amusing to note the liberties D'Annunzio has taken with history." I asked the Bookworm to explain. "It struck me when I saw the picture,'' said the Bookworm, "that a great many events had been crowded Into a short space of time; and as my trip to the Gaiety revived my interest in ancient history I refreshed my mind on the subject. sub-ject. 'Cabiria' starts with the beginning of the second Punic war. You recall of course what year that was?" "Of course I do not!" I replied. "Well," continued the -Bookworm, "I'm surprised sur-prised at your forgetfulness. The second Punic war began in the year 219 B. C, a fact of which every school boy is cognizant. The action of 'Cabiria' traverses the period not only of the second but also of the third Punic war. It ends with the destruction of Carthage by the Romans. You recall no doubt in what year Carthage was destroyed by Rome?" "No doubt I should, but I don't," I replied. "This Is very distressing," said the Bookworm. "Carthage was destroyed in 146 B. C. So 'Cabiria' begins in 219 B. C. and ends In 146 B. C. That is to say, it covers a period of seventy-three years. Now we are coming to the ' liberty D'Annunzio has taken with chronology. How old would you say Cabiria and Fulvius are when first we make their acquaintance?" "I should say that Cabiria is about eight, and Fulvius about twenty-live," I answered, glad that there was one question at least which did not necessitate a confession of ignorance, "That's about right," said the Bookworm. "In other words, when Fulvius and Cabiri, clasped j in each other's arms, turn their backs on burning Carthage and sail for Rome, Cabiria is a blushing blush-ing maid of eighty-one summers and Fulvius Is a romantic youth at ninety-eight." |