New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-24

Lie SOCIOLOGICAL LIBRARY IN THE UNITED
CHARITIES BUILDING.
There was on exhibition yesterday at the
rooms Of the Charity Organization Society
Twenty-second-st and Fourth-ave., an exception
ally fine collection Of antique and medieval gems
consisting Of intaglios. set and unset mosalcs'
enamels, miniatures. etc
These are being sold for the benefit Of the Public
Sociological Library. in the same building WHICH
IS free 20 all who wish 10 investigate social work
and social conditions in the United states ana
abroad.
The collection was made by a New-Yorker during
e long residence IN Southern Italy al PERIOD
when rare works Of art still accessible 10 the
collector and had not found their ultimate nome
n museums and private galleries
Desiring ANONYMOUSLY 10 aid the poor OF this
city two years ago he made gift OF THIS coHec-
ton TO the Charity Organization Society 10 DC
sold and divided among a certain number OF oene-
Hciar1es.
Already the sales have realized 5000 which mas
been turned into the channels stipulated ou' pro.
ceeds from the sale OF the remaining gems Will
go toward the library.
7vbrougbonr the collection q high standard OF Gull
tivated and refined taste IS noticeable. evioenclns
the discernment OF the collector and emphaslzil's
the generosity Of the gift.
The increased rarity OF specimens OF the trsco-
Roman and Roman lapidarian art mas largely
added to the commercial value Of the major part
OF tha collection IN the last decade and II Is
most exceptional. say connoisseurs in antiques 70
ind so choice an assortment outside the "aHs- oi
museums.
Among the Greek rings particularly noted by
TrIhune representative splendid deep III
teel,o head OF Socrates cut IN onyx, an ntasno OF
Medusa in carneian, intaglo OF Meiponlehe III
lapis lazuh: an intaglo OF kneeling warrior, Pe
s1lrnably Ajax IN agate; an inta9ho OF fsSCle IL
rnoonstone. and Greek walking inquire IN hePlliite
among the specially rare and exquisite roman
r4,gs was an antique intagio Of Hercules In Drown
sard one Of Roman chalcedony, representing q co"
with calf and Cupid sitting on a rock paying inc
sv-tnx; an iutaglio Of the Second Ir1umvlrale ~
carDenau. an intaglio Of the head OF Emperor
Donitian In Jasper. a parrot and amphore IL iou
tssner and an intaglio of the head OF emperor
servtus sulpicius Gelba IN gray chaIceoonS' hos'
OF these rings are least two Thousand years oo'
come undoubtedly still older
Besides the intaglios there is quantity OF re-
-7arkablv fine canoes; one of John Wesley NINA
80 q, Na6onnas Magdalens Roman women and
r,An exquisite nosaics specimens OF Iapls
lazuu g number OF enamels, and a specially cholce
collection Of scarabse, set and unset one eAceeu
irgly fine specimen, set IN swivel rihs' SHOWS
cupid interviewing Vuican at his WORK Io[s1Hs
thunderbolts, while still another Represents
gladiator salving his wounds
4 study of the scarabseus Is most interesting
searabaus IS the Greek name for the beetle
which was 10 the ancient Egyptian what the cross
IS 70 me Cbristan-at once emblem and confession
OF creative energy from its supposed power OF seI
generation and also syTnbolzed by the spherical
form OF It's egg the Immortality Of the SOUL with
out BEGINNING as without end. while the variety OF
It's species was emblenatic OF the oeVelopnehl u
the soul through many incarnations
The sacred scarab was carved In many KINGS OIL
stone amethyst carnelian. lapislazuA Jasper
agate onyx. and peculiar artificial stone covered
with brilliant glazes. all having been found IL inc
old tombs.
1t played an important part in social! reiiglous
and official life being a charm against fataI eccl-
dent an amulet 10 ward of evil spirits a tails
man 10 win the protection Of good spirits and a
sea- Tor documents and letters TO the oeao II
served as safeguard from the evil powers VINO
would hinder the soul in its effort 10 free NSel
from the fersaken body; a badge whereby ne H'isH'
secure admission the Supreme presence "e1s t a
IN the scale OF justice 10 Offset some OK Ine T ~
wrought in life When the mummlea FORM ~zs a,d
away IL bore these amulets on near" 4iP9' ~
The nat lower surface Of the scarab was some
times plain but generally bore an inclsed lnsc.lY
ton Sometimes these were OF the sentlilleIi a.
When this YOU see remember me, cnaTacte
scmetmes magic formula or an extract if''' 'i'
mystical Book OF the Dead -. .ho ro,,n,p0
often the scarab bore the name OF tne relsIlIL5
king for every sovereign was revered IN NE anu
Vorshipped as goo after death. "a co1ect,on
Of scarabs Inscribed with the names OF kin i
sands to the history Of the younger nations OF the
Some OF tn. larger scarabs found are OF great
historic Importance as clearly proving Ihat geotG i
Try medicine geography eno ,se,oTGd
ences familiar 10 that old and haf forgotten
one for instance designates It's owner, an orlclaI
OF the Sixth Dynasty. which existed about ~ o. -
as "C;overnor OF the House OF Books, when un'
questionsbly points 10 library OF consideraole IN
pOrtancs. -. -
Tlese name" scarabs were used as seals ano
were made into rings by inserting goId or sIVei
wire through the hole always founo IN the snlaIle'
scarabs - A..
The perforation runs iongtudnally, and the nat
side was worn next 10 the finger. The ring was
worn on either the first or little anger OF the ieI'
hand - ,-.,,. . ~.,,-.
or two before the Christian era, ana srauuany
dropped into disuse that II Is probable that h e
one mas been made in Egypt In less tnsn l;oe
years Al about the time that they Were Ios, ~ :
their Importance in Egyptian eyes, however, me
Ftr,,risns hsean 10 use them and some me eA-
ar1nIss have been found among the Etruscan ruins
They employed both gold ana Je"eis io' 'N' 'N
pose ..-. 10 cha rron.
COLGATE g co.'s