The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-06-15

1 At lAlG GGN vi
that portion nearest the main en-
trance, and walking east, you fDL
yourself entering first Italy, on tbs
south side, whilst on the north liz
Argen tine aud the Republic Of Peru
Turning into the department from
Italy we are ushered at once into that
land of wide reuown. On every hand
you find specimens OF rare beauty,
either Of usefulness ur OF decoration.
Whilst on all sides are found the
various products of the country, taste
fully and appropriately arranged so
as to best tell their own individual
history.
There are found some twenty pieces
of statury, every one OF them models
Of the finest work and OF exquisite
beauty.
The display of carved work is good,
some of the pieces being wonderful
indeed.
But Italy is noted for its mOssics,
and worthily so. Indeed, one finds il
impossible 10 give = just and perfect
description Of them. One table, no.
ticed in particular, some five or six
hand breadths in diameter, worth
81, 500 without the duty, and another
representing the great cathedral at
Rome, was fairly magnificent, being
perfect in every respect. Their
jewelry and fillgTee work seem almost
above competition, and Que finds in
every specimen those subtle surpris-
es found hid only in work from that
country. The smallest jewels are full
of secret recesses. Some Of them con-
tain innocent preparations it is true,
whilst Others have histories not likely
to be written.
The huge work is fair; s1me Of it
even elegant in the real beauty of its
design.
Leaving Italy and entering ArEen-
tine we find a marked contrast. In
the one everything speaks Of
craitIness and marvellous workman au-
ship, whilst the other is all domestic
all useful.
Argentine has no display. Many
of the minerals peculiar to that coun-
try together with some of the agricnl-
tural products, however, are on ex-
hibition.
So far as art Is concerned, it shows
nothing, its sphere being chiefly those
things connected directly with mans
needs and here it takes its rank well
up to the front.
The Republic of Peru has perhaps
the most remarkable OF the displays.
1t is made up almost exclusively of
ancient, or apparently ancient artl-
eles of daily life and warfare. One
can almost feel himself ushered back
hundreds of years and introduced to d
new people and new life, of which
we know little or nothing. Rude
idols, all in bronze, greet your gaze
everywhere, whilst dishes and cups,
pitchers and vases Of the same metal,
and curiously modelled, are strewn
around.
On large case in the centre Of tbe
apartment are q number of skulls,
hideous in their decay, yet covered
with long, straight hair, all matted
together. As you come out of this,
one hardly knows what to call it. You
find on table near the door General
Grant "On bust" Why hs should
be placed there it Is hard tn tell, and
yet there he is as natural as life. The
General Is made up entirely OF fine
wire OF various cOlOrs to match, bair,
eyes, mouth, whiskers, ETC., etc. He
Is indeed remarkable piece of work.
manship; all the more SO, no doubt,
for being placed as he is in the door
way Of this graveyard Of centuries
ago.
Going back to the centre aisle we
find east OF Italy, Norway on the
north side, while cn the opposite or
sDuth side lies China.
Near the entrance OF the Norwegian
| departm ent are models, in life size, OF
q family gathering in the costume OF
that country. These models are re-
markabIy perfect, and one frequently
has to touch them in order to assure
| ones self that they are not really alive.
The display of Norway / 8 made up
principally of such as constitutes her
natural resources and wealth. Fish
| ing tackle and nets OF every size and
kind are arranged in all manner OF
ways and very artistically, whilst the
/ crude linen and the woven threads
tell also of the eOuntryis industry.
Turning TO China one can almost
feel himself walking through the
streets OF the "land of cues and al
mOnd eyes" Native work surrounds
you on all sides, and one Is permitted
TO gaze quite eomplacently on in
Vulnerable temples and pyramids,
marvellous in their finish and ex-
| quisite carving. Surely never was
such work seen before in this country.
so wonderful in its delieacy and beau
/ ty.
There is one temple that particular
/ ly deserves mention. 1t is made Of
/ ivory and is some eight or ten stories
/ high-of course, in miniature. The
work on this alone must have been
that OF years. One cannot describe
tit must be seen to be appreciated.
/ In the same case is q model of q
Chinese ship, built also OF ivory, with
everything complete on deck and
through the miniature doors can be
seen the comfortable cabins, with lit
| tie figures, chests of goods, coils of
rope, all made Of the came elitteTiDg
material, and arrayed in perfect or
der.
There is a b-dstead of when must
speak. 1t is msde OF some eastern
wood, and even II plain would be 3
beauty, but it is not plain. Work of
the most remarkable character Is here
seen ivory leaves and flowers, birds
and trees, filigree work OF every kind,
| trailing vines, all carved and forming
one single piece. massive. yet not
heavy, so delicate the work upon IL.
The cost could not be sscertained.
And now the little anecdOte The
Chinese were unpaeking goods, and
of course, as they were in costume,
they were surrounded by a crowd. A
lady in the company, like every other
woman, curious to know what the
mans cue was made of-Whether it
was natural or not, took hold OF IL
and proceeded TO examine it critically.
OF course. the native felt the pull and
the astOnishment with which he
turned around and released himself,
should have been seen. 1t was q pic
/ ture, as well as was that woman's
face. Celestials hair should be let
alone. Youra,
r. B. B.