Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-19
INTERESTING AFRICAN cuRIos.
A reeP at tho Trophies Mr.. Herbert Ward
brought from Africa.

a few privileged friends were asked
recently to meet Mr.. E. j. Glave, of Lon
don, at the fremont house, and at th,
same time to see the many curiositiei
which Mr.. Herbert Ward brought from
Africa with him. These articles are no,
exhibited at the lecture, but are shown
privately to friends. Mr.. Glave, who ha:
charge Of them, is a young Englishmar
with taste for adventure, who has been
into the interior of Africa with both Mr.,
Stanley and Mr.. Ward, aud hos achieved
a decided reputation as successful
hunter. 1t is most interesting to hear
his descriptions of the life among the
savages, and he speaks modestly Of his
own prowess, referring only to the deeds
OF other men, until some straightforward
question brings an answer that he can
not help giving. .. ....
The world has grown accustomed to
eastern curios. China, India and japan
are no longer unknown lands, and the
arts and industries from those countries
are almost as well known as those of
Europe and America; but in the curiosi-
ties shown by Mr. Glave one is brought
face to face with new people and a
hitherto unknown land. The first sensa-
tion which one has is wonder how these
people learned to do SO many things;
they work in iron and other metal, they
weave cloth from fiber, they carve in
wood and ivory, and their straw or cane
weaving is wonderful from its fine work
manship, its beauty of design and per-
feet finish. This was best shown in the
shields, which are long and narrow, cov-
ering the whole body when held in front
OF it. 1t resembles more than anything
the fine cane work of the East Indies. It
is smooth and glossy, and some of the
hbers are as fine as thread. Black and
white tibers are used, the design being
wrought in black on the white ground
apd is even more beautiful on the back
side than on the front. OF course, all
this work is done by hand, and it is as
even and regular as if made by machine.
The ornaments worn by the women
are barbaric in design; still they have a
beauty of shape that is unsurpassed by
anything modern. Copper is a great
deal used by them, and also iron; the
first is to ornament almost entirely, and
the latter is used for money, as we'll as
for the cruel implements Of war. Among
the most interesting trophies are the
axes and bows and arrows used by the |
nation of dwarfs, a newly discovered
people, who have given Stanley a great
deal of trouble during his last trip.
They are small people, only about
four feet in height, with small frames
and short necks, most repulsive look
ing people, and very savage and fierce;
they are not physically strong, but are
very quick in their movements, and
nave less degree of intelligence than
most Of the other tribes The axes are
short handled, broad bladed, ugly look
ng affairs; the bows are very small, al
most like toy bows, with correspondingly
mall arrows, which afe poisoned at the
sharp iron tips. Small as these are, they
ire deadly, if they strike, as the poison
$ very powerful and quick in its action.
The savage idea of ornament is shown
n the waist belts, bracelets, earrings and
Inklets worn by the women; these con-
titute the entire costume, but the richer
md more powerful man is, the more
leavily he loads his wives with these
okens of his esteem and their worth.
he more of this kind of ornament
Eoman has, the higher is her financial
alue. After all, civilization and bar
arism are not so far apart as it would
eem at the first glance.
A spoon carved of wood is in grace
ul and unique pattern, that might be
opled with advantage by silversmiths
Tho are in search of something new and
rtistic. This is simply wood carving,
ut the shape is very graceful and
eautiful. Some of the spoons carved
l ivory were not unlike those of me-
iaval Europe, and it makes one wonder
new how ideas could have grown
mong people who know literally moth
lg of life beyond that one in this
lvage land. 1t certainly proves that
lose ideas must be common to the
hole human race, and that some of the
cry best of our civilization came with
$ from barbarity.
A beautifully wrought copper collar
orn by an African chief was as finely
lgraved as some of the specimens of
enares brass work. There are also some
ne specimens of etching on some of the
nives. 1t is perfectly impossible to give
1ything like an adequate idea of the
ovelty Of this exhibition or of its COM
eteness, but it is certainly one of the
Lost interesting that has ever been given
the city. 1t gives one an idea as moth
g else can of the condition of the peo. {
10 in the "dark country" of which so 6
tile has been known.-Boston Herald.
Wasted Eloquence.
A ko kl,s, - :