Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-08

aug. =, ~.
Japan cases present an admirable dis.
play of porcelains. screens, household
furniture, straw work, silk goods and
bronzes. The latter carry off the palm.
One article is cstalogued as being the
best piece OF lacquer ever done in Japan.
1t is composed OF jewel cabinets set in an
elaborately carved tortoise shell frame.
There are four cabinets that ill the frame.
made in the finest style OF lacquer work.
They are for the reception OF Jewels or
other articles and are considered the most
beautiful ever seen. These cases OF lac
quer also contain articles made oil ivory
and silver most daintily wrought and not
inferior in finish TO the articles of lacquer.
Some Of the latter are said to be more
than q hundred years old; yet they show
no evidence of wear. being as brilliant
on their surface and with rs sharp angles
as those of q recent make. These articles
are all marked high. due, probably, to
the tact, that they are highly ornamented
with gold and silver. Toilet articles and
small sets of drawers are marked at from
$40 to 300. They could be purchased
at much reduced rates were the orna.
ments lett off, which add little TO their
beauty and nothing to their usefulness.
The cases containing images OF men and
women from the different stations oi Jap
anese lie are instructive rather than
beautiful; and those OF cats. dogs, chick
ems and monkeys mark the qualifying
effect of climate, when compared with
corresponding types as produced on the
American continent.
The polo players attract much atten'
tion from all observers. The game is
represented by two stalwart fellows OF
the japanese race on finely carved ponies,
armed with polo sticks, rushing at a ball
at furious pace. The representation is
so faithfully executed as 10 inspire visi
tors with warm interest 10 the game.
The Japanese display ot ceramics is ex-
trem ely rich. Ore case contains q his
tory of the art in Japan, with duplicate
specimens OF the pottery made from the
earliest period OF japanese civilization.
These specimens. almost Invaluable to
an industrial art school. have been pur-
chased for the South Kensington Museum,
London. Their metal work cannot be
excelled. Their products OF the soil are
mainly exhibited in Agricultural Hall,
but the most interesting Ito me) are to
be seen at their bazaar, consisting OF a
collection of Japanese plants in large
porcelain pots, protected from the sun by
awnings of straw mats. A very correct
idea of the social life and customs OF this
curious people may be formed. | am told.
by an attentive study of their exhibits.
Ey ntheif statuary is clothed in the quaint
garments seen in every day Japanese
life.
The military cadets have returned to
West Point for the balance of the sum-
mer except the lurlough class who left
hers to visit their homes. The middies
from the Naval Academy. Annapolis.
MARYLAND. arrived here in the U. S.
practice ship MayAower." The party
consists of twenty-eight cadet engineers.
and two engineer officers as instructors.
These engineer cadets make practice
cruise every summer; and this season
their time will be devoted principally to
Machinery Hall. The MAY flower" re-
mained here till the latter part of July,
and after visiting the principal machine
shops and dock yards on the Delaware
nd Hudson, will return to Annapolis on