The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-28
4 MARYEL OF THTTOOING.
A Remarkab Subject from the Hands Of the
skilful Chinese Tdrtars.

Capt. George Costentenus a descendant
Of noble Greek family. from tho province OF
Albania, arrived In New York yesterday in tho
Sucvia. From head to foot on every inch Of his
body, including even his scalp and the soles of
his feet, he Is mass Of the most artistic and
deliberately colored tattoolng, IN letters, signs,
and figures OF quadrupeds, birds, fishes, and
reptiles. Captain Costentenus Is tall, dark COM
plexioned, Of superb physique, and about %
years of age. lie does not read English, but
converses 1uently In his own tongue, and In the
Italian, Arab, Turkish, and Persian languages.
ank speaks a little French and German, and a
few words Of English. The climate here affects
him so that he keeps mufiied In coarse suit
lined with fur, with soft round cap pulled
down over his forehead, and thick pair of
gloves on his hands. His heavy beard only par
beaten face.
Costentenus's early history is that Of many
Albanians. lie has always been soldier OF for
tune. In 1867 no and eleven others penetrated
Chinese Tartary and sided with the rebels. The
party were captured, and two or three were
killed, ana the rest were submitted to an ordeal
Of tattooing, which only two survived, Capt.
Costentenus and aSDaniard, who has since died.
The operation lasted three months, and was per-
formed daily; six men held him down while
aseventh welded THE tattoOng apparatus. At
the conclusion OF the operation he regalDed his
health, and was freed by the rartars. instead Of
making his escape, as was reported.
This tattooing was done TO warn outside bar
barians Of the danger OF penetrating the Tartars
Nothing like tho Captains person has ever
been seen In civilized countries. by the side OF
his gorgeously embellished cuticle the tattoo
Ing Of South Sea Islanders fades into nslgnil-
canoe. The material used was indigo and Gin
nabar, the former producing a black and the
latter red. AT first glance the Captains
body seems to be covered with a Turkish shawl,
hut a closer examination shows that the pic
lures In two colors are produced by unnumbered
points. On his forehead are animals and inscrip-
tlons, and on the face star-like figures. On the
hands are numerous red points, and figures re-
semblng sculptures, az well as long tailed,
the only part OF the body free from tattooing
even the scalp being embelished. On the neck,
chest abdomen, back, and extrenities, the skin
Is mass OF symmetrlcely arranged and
admirably executed figures OF monkeys
tigers, lions, elephants, peacocks, storks,
with bows, arrows. leaves, bowers. and fruits
Between the figures are words In Berminian In
blue and red Letters, and simple points or stats
the palms of the bands are indescribable figures,
ana little figures are on the inside OF the Fingers.
on the back sides Of both feet to the toes are
blue points, and from the toes to the nails are
red liner. Altogether there are 3ss tattooed
pictures on the entire body-On the fore head 2;
neck, s chest, 20; back, ~; abdomen, 81; upper
extremities, 1Ol lower extremities, l51-yet the
Captain Is In perfect he lltn.
The instrument used In tattooing, the Captain
says. was divided Into three parts. The part
holding the iluid was silt like pen four inches
long and an iDcs and half vide coming down
TO two points. In the middle was cylinder OF
brass four inches long, an on top was a third
piece, four inches long, OF iron, with u knob at
the end. The three parts were Joined by cap
syles the insirymept We inserted i, between d IN
guide IL, and the right hand made the punctures
with extreme rapidly.
The Captain has several scars on his person as
evidence OF his numerous engagements, and
these show plainly through the tattOoing. lie
has seen oyery country in the world except
America. lie Is going to the Centennial Exhi-
billion.