Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-18

amples of the best houses in the Carolines
were seen at the worlds falr-they have
roofs of a steep pitch, supported at the
center by tall posts. The matching is done
WIZ, lam leaves, which overhang the walls
gracefully at the caves. The space between
the uprlShts is filled with small canes and
bamLoOS fastened together with Irvine. The
twine is variously colored and woven into
figures which show the Sitsite walls.
The floor is laid with bamboo, moderate
space being left in the center for fire, but
there is no chimney. The smoke finds its
way out through the crevices of the walls
and roofs.
The largest houses seldom exceed 40x20
feet. and these are for the upper classes
The lower classes are content with houses
that are 1Ox6 feet, or even smaller. But
councils are held and feastings are in
dulged.
Tools and Furniture.
The Ratchet, made of hard white stone.
is the principal mechanical tool 1t is
broken to the shape of our hatchets and
sharpened to an edge on rocks Also sea
shells are used as tools, and for such pol
ishing as is done dogfisn skins are employ
ed. 1t is said to be astonishing to see what
fine work can be turned out with these
tools. and certainly the houses of these
people that were seen in Jackson Park in
1888 justify the belief that they are not
without mechanical skill and proficiency in
They, ike their neighborS of Manila
make cordage. but they use different
fiber. They wind vines into ropes. and for
inner weaving they take the fbers of the
planta1.i and banana tree. From them
they make a fabric that resembles silk.
Mats for covering the middle body are made
OF leaves that grow at the top of the cocoa
palm The mats for calls and beds are
braided 10y the women from split rushes. or,
if the bed is to be very light and nice, It is
braided from whole rushes.
Music and Dancing.
The better people among the Inhabitants
of the Carolines are very fond of music
and dancing. They have but two musical
Instruments pipe like a fife and a drum.
The drum is made by stretching a piece of
fish skin over a hollow log. The fife has
the mouth, but by the nostrils. And their
war trumpets they are instead of bugles
the larger sea shells or conchs.
Their singing is a prolonged quavering
wall, rather than a succession of vocaliZed
notes. but 1t does very well to dance to.
Dancing is d favorite pastime among them.
The canoe houses are often used for the
purpose of the more numerous assemblies,
which are generally seen at night. No artl-
hcial lights are used. but in at the great
door shines the light of moon and stars.
The dancers stand up in rows and their
performance is merely stamping in time to
the singing. If this is not done with pre-
cision the dance is apt to end in a serious
row.
Religion of the CarOlines.
On their spiritual side the Carolnes are
a peculiar people. SO far from being ma
terialists. they are transcendentalists or
something near that. Their worship is of
mind or life independent of the body. They
have no churches temples or affairs. and
they know nothing of offerings o. sacrifices.
1; is world of spirits thal they conceive
of and worship The chiefs have a worship
differing from that of the common people
only in this-the chiefs adore the spirits of
dead chiefs. while the common people. or
each family. prays to and glorifies its own
ancestors. Their priesthood Is hereditary
and is supported mostly by presents. They
are the advisers and confidants of the
people.
Such is the country and such are the peo-
pie. the CarolineS and the inhabitants, that
the taking of Manila has brought into rela-
lions with the United States. If the Philip
pines are ours for good, and the tail goes
with the hide, then the Carolines will be
ours, too. What shall we do with them?