The sun., 1897-02-14

The proceeds OF the sales made by the mu-
scum are a source of revenue for the service,
and thus are used In defraying the cost OF
new excavations. This fact not being suffi-
ciently known by the travellers in Egypt,
they often allow themselves to be parties to
questionable transactions. and become vic
tins Of unscrupulous natives.
The East In the abode Of many distinct
tribes and races, but whether Mohamme-
dams. Jews, or Christians. they possess one
point of similitude in their Unborn adherence
Of truth. 1t is next to an impossibility to OBJ
tain from native an accurate statement OF
a a"fnd" In no place In the world are to
be found more limitations or falsiflcations OF
antiquities than In the very countries whore
they come from. Italy Is the land OF the
Paduans, the best makers OF bogus Roman
coins. From Odessa come those modern
productions, lately seen in Paris, Of the
style Of the Kertch jewelry In Damascus
are made the limitations OF the old Arabic
mosque lamps: and now that antique
iridescent glass has become much In
demand, the Syrian ingenuity has found
process for manufacturing rare pieces out
Of antique unrelated fragments, making
scarce shapes and adding artificial rides
cence produced by metallic powders applied
in way sufficiently skilful to deceive in
experienced eyes. To this list may be
added bronzes copied by electrotyping, an
tiQue terra Gotta vases covered with modern
decorations or inscriptions, coins cast from
antique models, Palestine being very rich
In such shekels. Intaglios and canoes are
often made Of glass So also are most Of
the so-called turquoises carved with cabalis-
tic Persian notices. This will give an idea
OF what is In store for the unsuspecting
tourist at most Of the places at which he is
likely to stop In the East
In Egypt travellers should be more fortu-
nate, but they do not always avail them
selves Of such opportunity. To call at the
Gizeb Museums salesroom and select from
the wall cases, or to sit comfortably In q
chair and have the objects brought to your
inspection on table by the well-known Mr..
BAzrLE, MAsPERo's brother, or even by
BRUsGscH Bey himself, and to receive from
these gentlemen receipt for the money
paid, and q true statement as to the origin
and date OF the objects selected, would seem
to the "innocents abroad" the climax OF all
that Is prosaic. How much more pictur-
esque and romantic is 1t to penetrate into
the secrecy Of an Arabic adobe sbanty,
the receptacle OF filth and vermin. Here
stands the majestic palm tree projecting its
broomstick shadow on the dusty trail. As
you pass, the fellahin covers modestly her
tattooed face with the folds OF her deep blue
gown. Then the fellsh, from under rags and
dirty straw, brings out some royal scarabs
and other curios. And here your guide
whispers to you. mysteriously; II will
tell you where these things como from,
but never show them to anybody in
Egypt, and never mention my name;
would be sent to Tourrah," which Is the
Egyptian substitute for Sing Sing. You
make the solemn promise, and then you are
told more solemnly still that the 80 much
coveted scarab comes from the Mudir's
excavation at Dashur, this being the dreaded
name OF the Director General. or that 1t was
substracted from PETRIE's discoveries. You
pay whatever you are asked for, and the
game Is played. The motto OF the great
poet, what fools these mortals be-" Is true
once more. When You depart the fellahin
covers modestly her tattooed face with the
folds Of her deep blue gown, but she laughs
in her sleeve.