The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03
THE OLDEST OF THE ARTS
Research on the Subject h. a Sci
enlist Of This City.
Advertising Probably Takes Prcce-
dence Over All ments
in Point of Antipuity-Investig
tions Among Prehistoric Cities.

The attempt has often been made by
| philosophers-som much to their
| own satisfactIon-to. determine definitely
| the question az to which is the oldest OF
| the fine arts IL has abeen iTlgeniously-
contended for instance, by that subtle
Italian author, LEON .Aiberti, that paint
ing and sculpture date from the most
primitive times. He has shown how pre-
historic man las traced those resem-
dances which may fbe noted in knarled
tree trunks, stones, and other natural
forma tons. forms, and lineaments to hui
man or inanimate objects. Our remote
ancestors have thereupon, he speciouslyV
contends, further heightened these more
or less vague likenesses with some rude
cutting or marking irnpiements and this
produced the earliest specimens of the
sculptors' and limners'k art.
1t has been argued by some sages that
singing presumably more or less must
cal, was in vogue before articulate speech
and THAI, therefore,. music may be ac-
counted the earliest refined accomplish
ment of mankind. IT is only very lately,
however that a distinguished scientist, Of
this city, who desires that his name be
Withheld from publication until he has
gathered additional evidence in support
of his assertion, has put forth the bold
idea that ali his predecessors along the
same line of investigation have been
wrong, though not, us he acknowledged
himself without considerable plausibility
in the matter of their respective theories.
Prof. states that he Is convinced,
not alone from data obtained by him per
souaiiy in researches conducted among
the ruins of prehistoric Egypt. Palestine.
Il
the world. bat from the evidently print
tive or inherited quality of humanity it
self as abundantIy manifested at the
present time. that the art of advertising
takes precedence over ell others as the
earliest artificial expression OF the cor
poral or spiritual needs of mankind.
The evidence which the professor has
already procured in support OF his ex-
traordinary hypothesis is most volumin
Gus in quantity ana Interesting in quality.
and gives promise of results still more re-
markabe in the near future. He ciassi-
hes his data under two main heads--first,
facts gathered in researches among pre-
historic remains in Egypt, Palestine, Asia
Minor, etc: second, an analysis of the
strong primitive inherent quality
eyinced by civilized man, TO convey to
his fellOw-creatures through some adapt
able medium, the excellence of himself or
his property for various interested mo-
tives. political, commercial. etc.
Under the first of these heads the pro-
fessor has gathered a truly wonderful |
amount of original data. In conducting |
his Investigations, for instance, among the |
recently discovered cities of prehistoric !
Egypt, he has come upon what he consid- |
ers the earliest hieroglyphic characters |
employed by man, and the oldest of these |
crude figure writings he interprets as be- |
A.
a remote antiquity do some of the speci |
mems belong that they antedate the per-
iod when money was employed in COM |
nercial enterprise, barter or exchange of /
Ia ring been the means re- |
sorted to by the primitive peoples, as |
among the ruder kinds OF savages today.
Thus a fragment of stone in the rrofes |
SOr s collection depicts some kind OF anil /
nal, crudely delincated, together with |
what is evidently meant as quantity of !
corn or some kind of grain. the plain in
ference being that some person wished to
an animal for a certain amount
If cereal production.
This advertisement was sculptured or
wrought upon the front of the abode of
he person desiring to make the transact
ion. &c ertain hieroglYphics accompany
he pictorial representation, but these |
Dear no resemblance whatever to the
characters pmnIoyed by the later inhabi-
heir meaning is somewhat obscure.
Another specimen evincing somewhat
more wit and Invention on the part OF
he advertiser, represents two human
cures, tht. one empty handed and in an
ititude of profound detection; the other
With his arms laden. and evinciug, in his
ated expression and his entire pose.
With one foot in the air, the fact that he
ias made bargain. This work Of art
s also inscribed with certain characters
Tiuch doubtless set forth, more particu-
arly. the nature of the bargain adver-
led.
a very pfquant feature Of my inves-
i,satious.' said the professor. was pre-
euted by the summit of the great pyra-
MD of Cheops. or course, the date of