Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-08-17

lies. it was very properly abandoned.
We have in another quarter various
specimens of cotton, brown and white,
and of rather inferior quality. II is rails
ed to considerable extent by the Ma
Gusts Indians. native tribe, being in the
interior of the country indeed almost all
the Indians have it growing in greater or
less quantities around their huts. 1t
comes to perfection in every part of the
colony; but is cultivated by the white in
habitants only on the coasts, and even
there it is almost now abandoned, the
planters finding that they are far under.
sold by those of our own country.
The most interesting part of this col
lection consists of curiosities obtained.
from the native Indians, illustrating
their customs, superstitions and mode NJ
life. Prominent among these is a bark
canoe. said to be perfectly safe in the
hands of native, but it would require a
considerable amount of faith for Euro
pean to enter. The probiscis of comb
fish next meets our eye, an ugly looking
instrument, tapering to a point, set on
both sides with long and formidable
spike; the fish receives its name from the
fancied resemblance of this weapon to
comb; but we would rather go uncombed
all the days of our life than have our
head brought into contiguity with such
a bloodthirsty instrument. The Kentucky
giant is the only man of our &C acquaintance
whose Uranium could stand it. War-clubs
are exhibited in every variety, out of
whose way peaceable man would do
we'll to keep. There are bows and ar
rows which look as if they could give
good account of themselves and the
large skin of an American jujuar which
hangs up over against the wall, proves
that they can use them with some effect.
A number of buck-pots give us an idea of
the skill of the Indians in the art of potte-
ry. 1t is in this vessel that the great
dish known as Pepper-pot" is cooked !;
and as the operation involves an indefi-
mite amount of stewing, it will be seen
that it is we'll able to withstand the &C.
ton of fire.
Further on we see number of curious
articles which look as if they were made
up of light cow-hides tied together
They are Macquari Whips, are made of
threads of the TIA Palm. and employed
by the Arawak Indians at the great
Macquari or Funeral Dance. A dance
courtesy; we should rather call it a regu-
lar set-to. 1t is in fact kind of single
combat, intended to test the power of en-
during pain on the part of those who en-
gage in it. One of the combatants
standing firmly on one leg, puts forward
the other, while his opponent lashes it
with the whip. STOPPING and springing at
each blow to add force to it, until the
other can endure it no longer previous to
which his leg is generally severely cut
and covered with blood. The other then
takes hold and returns the compliment
with right good will. He who holds out
the longest is declared the victor. We
should most decidedly confne ourself to
business. and studiously eschew games
and funeral dances If we livod among tina
Arawaks.
The Maraka or magical gourd is ano-
Their curious article used by this same
simple tribe. They imagine that By
shaking it over a sick person, accompa-
nying the movement with a monotonous
chant, they can drive away the yasha or
evil spirit that possesses him, and restore
him to health. We doubt not they find
the prescription quite as effective as ma
NY of the Wanted rostrums whose all
healing propensitics are heraldsd with
brazen face through the land.
So much for British Guiana in the
Crystal Palace there are other matters
of note and interest from this country, but
we have not now the space to dwell on
them. Every day the Palace presents
fuller and livelier appearance. The
number of visitors admitted on single
tickets yesterday was 1894. Having
sold all the season tickets they are likely
to at $40, the Directors have now issued
tickets which will admit the holder as of
ten as he chooses to go during two
months. The price of theseis So.
Our new ministers to England and
Spain sailed on Saturday in the steamer
Atlantic for Liverpool. Notwithstanding
the torrents of rain that poured down,
number of persons assembled on the dock
TO bid them farewell. On the evening