The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-06
wooO.CsnvING BY FlllplN0S.

There stands IN the old walled city OF |
Manila a church whose rare beauty |
should win II place among the famed |
temples Of the world. " is the Church |
of st. Ignatius Of Loyola. and as the |
name would indicate. was erected by |
the Jesuit fathers. The zen years mat |
elapsed between 1879 and 1889 were con-
sumed i'm It's construction, and
n success that was truly
artistic crowned the effort of decade.
The exterior is neither imposing nor
artistic. but it was upon the interior
that effort was centered. and few
structures I'm the world can boast of the
perfect harmony of effect there attain
ed. Practically the entire interior is
done i'm the native hardwoods OF the
Philippine Islands, that have been
carved by master hands \ remarkable
fact i'm connection with the work is
that it was all done by natives. The
designs were all made in Europe. and
every credit is due the workmen who
so closely followed their models. This
incident illustrates a 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 i,hey will reproduce II
on their own instruments, says a corre-
spondent OF the San Francisco Chroni-
Gle.
, Probably the most artistic piece OF
/ carving in the church is the pulpH. II
| Is massive affair. affixed TO one of the
| giant columns close TO the altar rail On
! it's sides are a series of panels. upon
| which have been carved scenes depict
ing important sCriptural events. The
pulpit has beautiful carved base, and
upon the outer side OF the balustrade
I are the figures OF saints. The figures
! have AL been perfectly carved. and
there has been "A wonderful regard for
| detail. Proportions are perfect and the
I effect Is at once harmonious and artist
! h.. \ prodig Gus amount OF labor was
expended upon the pulpit. The Rev.
Father Francisco, one OF the rectors OF
the church under whose direction
much OF the work has been done. re-
lates that the carving of the base OF the
pulpit consumed two years and that
the balustrade occupied nearly as much
time. Next 10 the pulpit. the ceiling
| which is entirely OF carved wood At
tracts the most attention
There are series of iutt cate designs
thut show the genius of art and IN,
skill Of the carver and the effect &.
admirable. The columns. capitals an,
arches have also been done I'm wood
and 10y. too. enhance the beauty o
The church The altars-one main and
two sldcare also oi wood. and show
splendid specimens of the sl,il Of IN,
carvers. The noor Is also OF wood am,
tho sheen ~ its polish serves 20 height
| on the general effect. Most of The WOO,
, | used Is malovr. beet ~ nm the fiftv Va
ric oe of hard woods that crow IN tn
, | Phil 1uin u is caTfable ~ resistln
/ luv OF thc insects thai attack wood AM
: | neither heat nor W. cr aTCctg lt StcH
| is the only thing that w"1 out'ast r
u Is SO bard that thn fashiouiug ~ n 4
varv Wcuit bust thn excellent ~ siiit
| obtainr make 20 worthy 90 Tho cfofl
The PVT ~ wood carving hrs long heo
y t1ught t0 tho Tillpinos ard the t-ovele
. IN thrr fslarde ecos MANY eamucs q
hpir work. " has roarhod Sc greatcs
. Oorfoct .On nf tho 1reut College q
= | Na~Na ara thh wort In fha Teen
r oNurrf 's inc0wu1rah'v tor hosf 20 fa
done Tventv-thrce veara aco the ptt
. dl1is of fhe college ssr' 8n ellhor1l
d / u.-U' nf O1rN ng to .Nr Csuff0r o. E,
10 u0rt'nn ai ph1adcrhin. uul. with
Wou nrst rrzc.