The record-union., 1893-06-06
ITALY AND Her ARTS.
Some of the Things Seen in the
Italian Section.
The Remarkable Bronze of ssThe Glad
rea's Curious Exhibit.

No section in the manufactures build
ing at the Chicago Worlds Fair is SO
crowded as that OF Italy, she having far
less space than was needed for all the
things she brought to Chicago. The mar
bic pieces are so close together, and so
true TO nature, they seem TO have sprung
up out of the soil like bed OF lilies,
whose flowers are living, smiling human
faces. The wood-carvers' figures have
been uncovered, and constitute one OF the
most unique exhibits at the fair. The
lace house has received few additional
touches in the way of decoration, and
contains vast quantity OF the most deli
cate fabrics made by woman.
GLADIATOR IN BRONZE.
In front of the facade, in addition to the
figures already in place, copy in bronze
OF 1.-THE Gladiator" was set up yesterday.
This casting was made by the celebrated
Nelli Foundry at Rome, and is an exact
reproduction of the bronze figure dis
covered near Rome about two years ago.
The original dates back to the time OF
the Roman Empire, and Is one OF the
most remarkable of the works OF art. 1t
Is perfect in every respect, even the gashes
on the arms and legs OF the gladiator look
ing as fresh though made yesterday. The
ancient prize fighter sits on a stool, his
arms crossed over his knees, his head
turned half around and his mouth half
open as though waiting eagerly for de-
cision of the judges or the approval OF
the Emperor. His hands are covered be-
low the second joints of the fingers with
3 sort of mitt, the wrists OF which reach
well up the forearm. This rude boxing
glove was made Of hard leather nearly
an inch thick at the extremity surround
ing that portion of the fingers between
the joint mentioned and the knuckleS.
The Emperor was timekeeper, referee
and master of ceremonies on all state oc-
casions, and there were no Marquis Of
Queensberry rules TO regulate the pum-
melting. Ii the Emperor desired it the
combat was to the finish. The bronze
figure sitting in front of the Italian Pa
viliou seems not to have sat down to
catch his breath, but to await the motion
OF the royal guest to deal the final blow
to his antagonist, bleeding and tainting
at his feet. The marvellous muscular
strength OF the gladiator and its perfect
representation in the bronze, the brutal
expression of the face, the undeveloped
mentality and the perfect pose of the
figure are features that excite wonder
and admiration.
Besides the bronze figures of the lion
and his prey, in the main doorway, and
the two Wrestlers on either side, another
=
was set up yesterday. All these pieces,
Rs well as the majolica tile pictures made
by Achille Molica, are outside the pavil-
ion and appropriately suggest what may
be seen within.
Italy's section fronts on Columbia Av-
enue, the south end of manufactures
building. The facade itself is not partic-
ularly striking. The country's coat of
arms surmounts it, and the frieze con-
tains medalliOns of Michael Angelo and
ChrstoterO Colombo. An inscription,
Italy" is placed over the main entrance,
the date 1892 on one side and 1898 on the
other. Below, over each of the princi
pal portraits, are the names OF the cities
"Milano," "Firenze," Roma" "Geno-
va" and "Napoli."
COREA's CURIOUS EXHIBIT.
Corea Is attempting to show the world
the reason of her existence by installing
an exhibit of her products in twenty by
thirty pavilion set up in the west of the
manufactures building. The exhibit con-
tains more things that are more curious
than useful. In fact, there seems to be
very little in it that civilized life needs
except the most natural products of the
soil. The clothing worn by the people,
as shown, is very crude in style as well
as material and work manship, with the
single exception Of the silk. OF this a
very good quality seems to be produced.
The King sent aquantity OF jewelry made
from gold and silver, ornamented with
coral, as though the coral was more highly
priced.
The CoreanS are adopts in tanning skins
and find plenty of tigers at hand with the
material. Tiger skins, therefore, consti-
tute an important part of the exports.
Gold and silver metal, cowhides, tiger
skins, peas and ginseng root comprise
about all the exports. The last named
goes to China, where it serves as an anti
dote for various affections, particularly
those resulting from the use of bad water.
The Chinese say they cannot live without
it, so the King of Corea buys the crop
from the natives, or receives it in pay
ment of taxes, and sells it to his northern
neighbors at a very high price. Citizens
are not permitted to interfere with the
monarch's monopoly in this business.
Accompanying the exhibit are two ma
tives. One calls himself Arm Key Sun.
lie was Secretary of the Foreign Office at
home. He wears the native dress, which
resembles that of a Chinese mandarin,
with bird cage for a cap, worn while
he smokes and lounges. A broad
brimmed and high-crowned hat, made
OF an open material, which neither shuts
out sun rays nor sheds rain, may be seen
on his head when he dons full dress. The
other native is now more than half Amer
lean. His name is Pax Yong Kin. He
is in training Tor the legation at Wash
ington and has spent two years in san
Francisco. He will finish course in the
high school and then proceed TO the Capt.
tai. He speaks and writes good English
now and wears the clothes OF this country.
Chicago Herald OF May 18th.