The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-12
Egypt at the Centennial.

OdO VI vAO 4QOou 4AbO4 4COu3a6 O0LADAVe
at the Centennial, says correspondent
is that of Egypt, which has been ar
ranged with much skill to typify the re-
sources of that wonderful land of mys
tory and romance. The front of the
section is built A-the form OF an en-
trance to an Egyptian temple, and is
said to be close copy of one at Luxor
It is surmounted by an elaborate
trophy composed of Egyptian arms anG
banners, and below is painted an in
scription in hieroglyphics, which is {
friendly greeting from the Oldest *
the youngest nation of the earth.
Just inside the department is an i'm
mense stuffed crocodile from the
national museum at Cairo, and arounc
him are planted three rhinoceros horns
about two feet in length, which were
brought from Soudan. Near by is
door of the sanctuary of mosque
inlaid with ivory and carved in the mos
beautiful manner. It is supposed tx
have been made about the fourteenth
century A. D. A fine display of native
carpets and rugs is made by the bazaar
of Cairo, and these are hung upon the
side walls of the department 80 as tc
be displayed to the best advantage.
A number of Arabic tombstones and
ornaments of earthenware are shown,
and many of the latter articles have
been purchased by the Pennsylvania
museum and school of industrial art.
There are several curious amulets from
Nubia, which are greatly sought after
and worn by the superstitious natives
of that section. Much amusement is
caused by the display of dromedary
and camel saddles. Many of these sad
dies have high pommels of carved sill,
yer, and the housings are adorned with
small shells deftly sewn in. The cases
of national costumes attract much at.
tention from visitors. They include all
the principal articles of wearing apparel
from the different sections Of Egypt
and her provinces from the universal
fez to the embroidered slippers. a
large collection of Arabic doors, carved
and inlaid in the most skillful manner.
stand in the center of the section. A
collection of native musical instruments
and the rude arms used by the inhabi
tants of Darfoor and Senaar are dis
played along the east wall. Among
the former articles are drums, the heads
of which are made Of hippopotamus
skin. Lanees, knives, bows and ar
rows and swords are also shown, with
shields of straw thickly plated. Hat,
of colored straw from Darfoor are dis
played by the national museum of Cairo.
Native woods are shown in great variety,
also fine collection of cereals, fruits,
nuts, tobacco and cotton by the national
museum.
The ministry of public instruction OK.
hibit large case filled with maps,
charts, drawings, printed books and
various statistical works giving all the
resources of Egypt. a. Ravon, q staff
officer of the national museum Of Cairo,
displays drawing in ink of the citadel,
and q list of the names of the caliphs
and sultans who have reigned in Egypt
from Omar to Ismal Pacha, the present
khedive. This is q curious and instruc-
tive work, and a list of the names of the
Pharaohs is also given.
The collection of pipes, vases and jars
is bewildering, and there are ivory
spoons and dishes of solid gold orna-
mented in style that American and Eu-
ropean mechanics can never rival. The
delicate tracery of the arabesque figures
on the latter is done in the most artistic
and skillful manner by Oriental work
men. A large case is exclusively de-
voted to the exhibition of cocoons and
raw silk. OF the former there are sever
al thousands, which have been arranged
in various quaint figures, and present q
striking appearance.