The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-08-23

by Herbert Ward. who WAS associated
for live years with Henry M. Stanley
In Africa. A very hasty examination
OF the articles will ut once change
white mans contempt for the ignorant
savage into admiration for his manual
skill. Ii seems al first sight that the
collection must contain a specimen OF
everything made. used or worn by the
central African. especially In view OF
the scanty costume in vogue In that
country, but although the equatorial
gentleman may be considered over
dressed in a string with tuft OF grass
behind II. yet he has as many kinds OF
weapons as we have crayats aud ul-
sters, says the N. Y. Sun.
The largest but not the most inter-
esting feature OF the collection Is seen
in the sheaf of spears. He has cob
lectcd startling number OF them.
Each tribe has a distinctive kind of
spear, and the spears resemble or diff
fer from each other according TO the
distance which separates the tribes.
They bear a pretty close general re-
semblancc. however. since all arc made
with wooden handles aud leaf-shapod
iron blades. Many OF the tribes have
a small spear for active business and
large one for dress parade.
Next in prominence and high inter-
est come the idols. aud here II must be
remarked that the central African does
not usually worship his idol or con-
slider il almighty. Mr.. Ward describes
tho idol as kind of middle man. I'M
less it can show that it is a good. prac-
teal, working idol it Is liable To va
rious indignities and Is even often
burnt
The most fascinating aud blood
curdllng objects are the knives. Mr..
Ward has number OF the knives most
used for executions. which functions,
by the way. are usually performed 10
celebrate the departure of chief for
another world They belonged to the
Bangala and Babangi tribes. and Mr..
Ward has seen them actually used In
cutting off heads. The exeeutioners
never bungle.
The most strangely shaped knife OF
any is one used in rough and tumble
fighting, aud for throwing, by the ma
tives in the upper reaches OF the Ouella
river. There are knives of every inn
aginable shape in the collection. The
idea of the pattern in most cases is
taken from the palm leaf, and when
the knife Is made long aud curved IL IL
very handsome aud suggestive. The
handles are usually made OF brass and
wood and the workmanship Is very
fine. They are always made by the
natives.
Endless curiosities with particular
history attaching to them were scatter
cd about the collection. There was a
pair of wooden clogs. with Arabic in
scriptions on them, which were sent to
Mr. Ward by Tippo lib rs a kind of
Christmas card. They only way to
keep them ON your feet il to crap a
peg. which sticks up in the forward
part, with two of your toes. The for
tunate central African has toes AS deft
as our fingers.
Lying around were instruments that
produce unearthly sounds, bracelets
made of elephants skin, human teeth.
buffalo's teeth, leopard's claws and
iron bells. nccklets made from the
teeth of victims OF cannibalism, chunks
OF ivory worn by members Of some
tribes In their upper lips. brass collars
of the order of Makoko for chiefs only
and plenty OF little poisoned arrows.
These arrows are shot with great pre-
cision to distance of 100 yards. aud
the wound will prove fatal within tif-
teen minutes IL IL Is not thoroughly
cauterized.
Few persons would guess the use OF
five or six strands OF fiber tied together
aud sometimes covered with metal
They constitute the court costume of n
lady, and are worn around the waist.
Whenever there is IA tuft or other APP
pendage to the string Il goes behind,
thus showing the primitive aud wide
spread use of the hustle.
Excellent taste and splendid work.
manship were visible Ia all the imple-
mcnts. They came from the interior.
for the natives lose all this skill after
contact with the rum Of civilization for
n short time. The most artistic OBJ
jects were probably the immense war
horns made Of elephants tusks hollow
ed out aud most deliberately carved,
and the shields OF dyed and woven
palm fiber. There were also some
brooms. very light and long. which
should form elegant and valuable adj
ditions TO the household furniture OF n
theosophist. They are Intended to
drive away spirits when their pres
ence Is not desired.
Altogether the collection will soon
convince man that the central Afri-
cans are far ahead OF most savagcs In
manual skill--in fact, much Of their
work Is quite equal TO that OF tho Ja-
pancse.
The Mannikin MamIotta OF Africa.