New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-06-09

ouisitelv draSvn pictures of fish, Dlrds' "a.oI-
nlanta and bloaaoming sprays There is also
o very quaint and charming procession VI
grasshoppers, some carrying blades OF grass 40
spears and little blossoms as standards, Whio iOu
bear closed palanquin Of leaves, contahlns' poi
haps the Grasshopper Queen. fayorite suoJec" VI
the japanese artists is a cock, hen ana proou VI
chicks, grouped with real dramatic skill Among
the trinkets noticed some harpins Of amber the
ends of which blossomed into feathery orchiS-no"
ers, of a delicacy and beauty which really cannot
be described There was also landscape. made by
cutting through broad thin sheet Of wood, In the
manner of those lamp-shades on which the objects
are brought ont by shadows more or less strong.
This of course is trick rather than art, but 1t Is
exceedingly well done.
In the Turkish department there is much greater
variety of industry than in Japan, but it Is all OF
lower and coarser character. The woven stuffs are
more like the English fabrics Of fifty years ago thah
the native fabrics of e.Orient-with the exception
of some very light cotton stufs which have the
luster of silk. The coors, also, have deterlorated
With the introduction Of printed English goods the
old laborious, yet durably brilliant ways OF weaY-
ing in colors have gone down, and probably forever
Even in O collection of very pretty black pottery
from Asia Minor. 1 believed there were English
rather than Oriental forms. So OF the ornaments IN
silver filigree which were almost as well executed
"a the Genoese. moro interesting feature OF
the Turkish display is the collection of
natural products,-wines. grains, woods, silk
eocoons. and fruits. Although by no means
complete. it illustrates at least how much
wealth yet lies undeveloped in the Empire, and also
to one who understands the transmitted IDEAS OF
the people-how impossible is the bold, keen-eyed,
busy-handed civilization Of our day, without o
modification of that which in their faith corresponds
TO dogma in ours They hardly believe, as yet In the
sacred character of the printed Koran; they shrink,
with the fear of deadly sin, from the photograph;
they cannot separate Art from Idolatryj and
they seek to purify the soul by tOrturing the
stomach. There must be steady progress,
however when a railroad is proposed land VIII
probably soon be built from Djidda to Mecca.
The colored wax OF plaster figures Of the races under
Ottoman rule-of the Lazis, KOords Armenians,
ShamInars Druses etc.-shOw the beginning OF an
emancipation from ancient superstition in the gov
erning classes. Or, perhaps, the Turkish Commits
soner thinks il would be hard matter to find cor
responding souls for these images, on the Last Day
In Turkey as elsewhere the priesthood Is the great
barrier TO the development Of the people. But let
any one read the letter of the Assyran Bey to Lay
ard lat the end of the latters work on Nneyehl-the
most delightful expression of indifference IN any
language-and then turn to the very full and inter
esting display Of her industry which Turkey now
makes here and he will feel that the old inertia Of
the East is slowly giving way.
The next transept west of Japan contains China1
Persia and ROumania. The first Of these countries
is quite inadequately represented; the articles
neither represent the range of her industry nor Its
best achievements. The porcelain, bronze, and jade
work does not equal that of Japan, and the wood
carving is altogether of a coarser character. Inc
latter consists mostly of the familiar bamboo, with
its raised figures of bronzes, little islands, bridges
high temples rocks, and three crows OF herons III
the air The silks do not compare in CLEAN and
glorious color with those of France and SWltzer'
land though they are no doubt much more dura
BILE There are few of those rich. stiff, emilia
zoned patterns which the high officials are SC
fond of wearing, but on the other hand a
Welding TO European taste in tints and patterns.
But for the silks, China would have rather sober
and commonplace air especially after seeing Japan.
There are few specimens of natural products, and
precisely here the exhibition might have been so
rich. Persia has about One-third of the transept.
There is not great variety Of articles but they are
very well chosen, illustrations both of the taste
and the mechanical skill of the people The first
thing which attracts the eye is collec-
ton Of ancient weapons, armor, and artl-
ces of luxury. There are casques, breast
plates brassarts and cuisses Of steel, exqul-
sitely inlaid with golden arabesques curious
daggers, sabers from the famous FORCES of Khoras-
san, cups, bowls and urns which seem to be mix
ture of copper and silver etched and enameled with
elaborate patterns in black-evidently the early
models of the similar Russian work of Tula-and
smaller articles studded with gems. There are also
old musical instruments, mandOlins, dulcimers and
drums and few specimens of illuminated poems
on parchment. The cases containing carpets are a
pure delight to the eye The figures are small and
not very elaborate there is usually one prevailing
tint rarely brilliant in itself, but made so by the
most wonderful and harmonious contrasts, as OF
late Autumn leaves on a ground of fading
pross. What sense Of color these people
bavel Take the best of our modern car
nets. and it will become insuferably glazing and
splashy beside these deep, mellow, subdued bar
MONIES these ints which clasp and hold one another
in permanent sweetness, instead of fighting until
they fade The same characteristics distinguish the
Persian embroideries although in them the colors
are necessarily brilliant. They are marvels OF
labor as well as Of taste. l noticed that several OF
the most gorgeous saddle-cloths and taole-coYers
are already sold. The Museum at Vienna has also
secured some of the ancient weapons, bowls and
vases.
The Roumanan show is mainly remark
able for its display of picturesque costumes, the
color and fashion of which would alone ex-
plain the geographical location OF the people.
All the articles a cross between those
of Russia ON the one side and Turkey
ON the other the Latinism of the people only re-
mains in their language. White, scarlet, and blue
ara the favorite colors, and gold embroidery Is
layishly used. The woven fabrics are about on
par with those of Turkey but the leather seemed Ia
me superior. 1t is gay, gittering department
very pleasant to look at and at least not faguing
-. - - 4ho otbarg Tho