The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-04-21
FILIPINO WOOD CARyERs.
Evidences of Their beautiful wo

Evidences of Their Beautiful Work
in a Manila Church.
There stands in the old walled city of
Manila a church whose rare beauty
should win 1t a place among the famed
temples of the world. 1t is the Church
of ST. Ignatius. of Loyola, and, as the
name would Indicate was erected by the
Jesuit fathers The ten years that
elapsed between 1870 and 1889 were con-
suned in its construction, and a success
that was truly artistic crowned the effort
/ Of a decade. The exterior is neither
Imposing nor artistic, but it was upon the
interior that effort was centered, and few
structures inisthe world can boast Of the
perfect harmony of-efeeet taeRe-attained
Practically the entire interior is done in
the native hardwoods of the Philippine
islands, that have been carved by master
hands A remarkable fact in connection
with the work is that it was all done BY
natives. The designs were all made in
Europe, but every credit is due the work
men who SO closely followed their models
This incident illustrates peculiar trait
in the Filipinos. They lack originality,
but they are wonderful imitators. Give
their carvers a model and they will dupli-
cate to perfection. Let their painters see
a picture, and they will reproduce it on
their own instruments.
gs Probably the most artistic piece of carv-
Ing in the church is the pulpit. It is a
massive affair affixed to one Of the giant
columns close to the altar rail. On ita
s les are series of panels, upon which
nave iIe oeen carved scenes depicting import.
ant scrioturM events. The pulpit has q.
oeautl1ully carved base, and upon the
outer side OF the balustrade are the fig.
tures or saints. The figures have all been
perfectly carved. and there has been a
7Wonoer1ui regard for detail. Proportions
are PERFECT and the effect is at once
harmonious ar and artistic. A prodigious
amount OF labor was expended upon the
pulpit The Rev. Father Francisco Simo.
one OF the rectors Of the church. under
whose direction much OF the work has
been done. relates that the carving OF
the base OF the pulpit consumed two
years, and that the balustrade occupied
nearly as much time. Next to the pulpit.
the ceiling, which is entirely Of carved
wood, attracts the most attention.
There are series Of intricate designs
that show the genius Of art and the skin
of the carver and the effect is admira-
bic. The columns, capitals and arches
have also been done In wood, and they.
too. enhance the beauty Of the church.
The altars-one main and two side-ars
also OF wood. and show splendid speci-
mems OF the skill Of the carvers. The hoor
- also OF wood, and the sheen Of its
polish serves to heighten the general ef.
feet. Most Of the wood used II malove,
best OF all the dfty varieties Of hard
wood that grow "a the Philippines. Il
y capable ofresisting any pf the Insects
that attack wood, and neither heat nor.
water affects 1T. steelsi the only thing
that WIN outlast It II IL % hard that
the fashioning Of it 10 very difficult, hut
the excellent results obtained make II
worthy of the effort The art OF wood
carving has long been taught to tho
sFilipinos. and the traveller IN their Is
lands sees many samples Of their work.
1t has reached its greatest perfection at
the Jesuit college at Manila, and the
work In the Jesuit church is fncompara-
bly, the best so far done. Twenty-three
years ago the students of the college sent
an elaborate piece Of carving to the
centennial exposition at Philadelphia, and
with it won first prize.San Francisco
Chronicle. SIS
s#s4z4
Beginnings OF Greatness.
ssIt was here In this old school house. - unused
the man in the fur-trimmed overcoat, who had
returned, after an absence OF thirty years, to
the scene OF his boyhood days. that learned
my letters! It was here laid the foundation,
So to speak, Of all my success in life. Even
then he continued, ST gave indications OF the
business career I have since followed =
Yes r. said the old schoolmaster. with q
note of interrpgation In his voice
Yes, pursued the other, pointing with his
cane to the paper wads still visible on the
snloke-blackened ceiling. DO you see those r
Z Yes
We'll. threw them there. z
5atssAud now r.
s.And now 4 am the owner Of large paper
mill. Chicago Tribune.