The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1876-07-21
CENTENNIAL LETTER.
IaS.-Bahnmas.-BeIg - Bermndas.-
observation-disclosures JOurnaIIsts.-HIfs-
ceIIany.
PERUVIAN.

animation of the Peruvian exhibits satisfies
me that the archaeological display of Peru
cannot be excelled. The collection is very
large and rare. Skulls of a prehistoric race
Pattery, basket-work of as much delicacy of
workmanship as the most finished of the
present, exhibiting a finish and taste, that
clearly proves the skill of the people of those
ages that have passed away. l am inclined
to the belief that the old world paradox, is
really the new. All these relics of the past
of South America are patterns of Egyptian
workmanship, the Peruvian badly wrapped
mummies are the identical prototype of those
of the PharaOhs.
PLUTARCO ORNELAs.
Among the members of the Mexican COM
mission, one of the most brilliant is the
youthful commissioner, whose name forms
our caption. In my personal interview with
this scholarly gentleman, | aust say, in all
my travels l have never found so ripe q
scholar, so accomplished a linguist, and so
able debater, nor more enthusiastic lover
of his native country, Mexico, than Plutarco
Ornelas. But twenty-three years of age, and
yet master of science, in government and
philosophy, a socialist yet with a mind tenn
pered with consideration for antagonizing
thought, rigid republican, yet no tOppler
of any legitimate form of despotic force few
men have more unclouded intellects than
the afiabie young Mexican gentleman. 1 am
indebted to Mons. Ornelas for an interesting
resume verbal of his cOuntry's effort at the
centennial, in which he naturally takes
great pride, most particularly when he in
formed me that of the twenty-six states and
two territories of the United States of Mex
leo, but two were really represented. | can
well conceive how natural the pride at the
expression of so much value from so small an
area; and if this is so as it is, what a mag
nifcent exhibit would we see from the land
of the Aztecs did this beautiful country give
full expression to all her boundless resources.
Mr.. Ornelas is quite hopeful of the future of
Mexico. i have alluded to many of the diff
ferent articles from this silvery land, this
land of 'snOw-capped peaks, and within sight
the vision enjoys the misunderstanding tropi-
cal fruits of the far-Of valleys of Jalapa.
Her metals and her marbles, her industries,
and now after having had the pleasure of
meeting with her people, of whom much
more is to be learned of the true condition
of Mexico than from the geOgrapher or COM
piler of travels. / cannot say the Mexicans
are a great people. / can but once again al
lude to the marble of Mexico; as a scientist
said, who examined it critically, ait is the
compromise of nature with the marble and
the precious stones. 1t seems as if the ocean
under the play of the suns rays had, in an
ecstatic moment, become sOlidified, retain
ing the joy of the elastic foam and adding
the virtues of the adamantine rock"
BAHAMAS.
The Bahama islands, or LucayaS, are a
group of five hundred islands, or rocky is
lets, belonging to Great Britain, lying north
east of Cuba and east of the coast of Florida,
the gulf stream passing between them and
the main land. They extend from the Grand
Bahama or Manzanilla Gays, in latitude 270
81 north, and longitude 79o s. west, to the
Mouchoir Bank in latitude 21e north, and
longitude 70o 32' west, a distance of upwards
of SIX hundred miles. Not more than twelve
or fourteen of the group are inhabited. The
islands produce oranges, Hmes lemons, and
esculent vegetables The wild vegetation of
the Bahamas comprise mahogany, mastic,
lignum Vita, pigeon, and olive woods. The
Bahamas send as specimens of their indus
trial work in the international and nedandic
economy, large variety of walking-canes;
crabwOod, selling singly at the exhibition,
are worth $12 per hundred from the tree on
the island; cassavawood, 81, and on the is
land, 4c. a foot; lignum vite 75c., on the is
land, Sl2 per ton cascarilla, with bark, Soc,
on the island, SIP per hundred wild coffee,
25c., on the island, $12 per hundred; lemons,
25c., on the island, $12 per hundred. 1t
seems some one must make profit at some
point on the line, between first and last
hands. Some beautiful shells and basket
work; wreaths, one valued at $40.
BELGIUM.
This industrious little country makes
a splendid exhibit of her industrial re-
sources The Belgians are one of the most
productive of the various peoples of Europe
Much of their industry is lost by the indu-
ence of British and French capital, which is
used to advance the manufacturing interests
of these speculative powers. i remember on
one occasion hearing King Leopold, the king
at that time, 1860, while interviewing him,
say, 'eMy people are an honest people, they
work hard, they make the coat, the vest, and
other articles, but our friends, the English
and French, come here and buy them, and
put their marks upon them, and sell them as
their own" Which was true. If there is
any change in the commercial tactics of the
countries mentioned, am not aware of il.
Antwerp sends refined sulphur; COuillet
sends chemicals; Brabant, toilet soaps; Fast
Flanders, seeds and oils; Brussels, paints,
ink-. pharmaceutical preparations, bronzes,
furniture, lace; Client, cotton goods, Ve--
rier's cloth; Liege, guns, fancy goods; COur-
trai, laces. They did make black, boiled
silk in Antwerp, which would stand alone, il
was so firmly woven, and lemon squeezed
upon il would not stain it. Belgium is well
represented at the exhibition, having ample
material for her creditable display.
BERMUDA
am astonished at the exhibition of point