The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1873-08-30
OUR VIENNA C0RRESP0N D I'm CE

VIENNA, July 10, 1878.
| think, generally, that those who
come to the Exposition first visit the
Department which represents their
own country, but find the deepest in
terest in examining the exhibitions
from those far.off lands which, because
of their remoteness, are surrounded
with peculiar charm. At least |
find myself lingering longer among
the queer, and often rude, objects of
h Oriental art and industry, than among
the magnificent but more familiar dis
plays of more cultivated nations. These
modern improvements and inventions
can sec again elsewhere, but ] shall
never visit the plains of "Araby the
BEST" shall never sit beneath the
spreading Banyan tree, nor see the
magnificent Mntldpum of Madura;
but as I wander through the Worlds
Fair ! can almost imagine myself a
visitor in those strange lands, sur
rounded, as | am, by representations
Of tlseir temples, figures dressed in
their quaint costumes and illustrations
of their mode of working.
The photographs of ancient Indian
temples prove those people not to have
been without ideas OF an, ana even OF
maenificencc Colossal temples, adorn-
ed with innumerable carved figures,
which cost immense sums of money
and took many years to build. One OF
them, three hundred and thirty-three
feet long and cighty-four feet wide, oc-
cupied twenty-five years in the build
ing. The huge carved pillars of gray
granite are carved from 'one block of
stone, and the sculptured figures of
jugglers giants, serpents, and imagi-
native animals seem hardly of religious
character but may have some hidden
or typical meaning.
Further evidences of skill and art are
shown in the fine carved ivory work.
card-cases, birds, paper-cutters, and
animals, such as dogs, serpents, elc-
plants carrying party of royalty and
surrounded by guard, ladies' toilet
boxes, wagon drawn by cows, the oc-
cupants of the wagon being shaded by
n SOFT Of, umhrella covering, and vari-
Gus smaller animals.
Tiger skulls are mounted with silver
and made into dishes of various kinda,
Hoof of a deer, shod with silver, forms
base for a candlestick, and ear rings
and brooches are made of tigers teeth.
A watch chain is made of birds claws,
mounted with gold, and ear rings, pin
aud bracelets correspond. The passion
for iewelry among the native women
of India is very strong. The poorest
must nave ornaments of some Kind,
and iron is not disdained by those who
cannot afford the more costly metals,
Rings arc worn ON each of the toes as
well as on each o. the fingers, and to
our taste these rings when made OF
iron, are far from being ornamental.
As soon as means will permit, the iron
rings will be laid aside, and brass, cop
per, silver and gold follow each other as
fast as possible. Ear rings are not
worn n with us, hut a number are
worn in each car, beginning at the top
Of the ear, aud extending down the
rim. Nose rings are also fashionable,
and gosdea ornaments depending from
the furban hang over ih.e eyes of'the-
elegant lady OF India.
II i said that a feminine hand, load
ii with heavy metal rings, is quitcn
Formidable weapon, and not unfre-
quentIy the wearcrs join hands In an
ARRAY when some slight pfovocatirn
arouses their tropical iempers.
Near ihc entrance, and just within