The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-11-13


enjoyment, and consequently always
feels down hearted and depressed. 1t
was for such persons that Hostetter' s
Stomach Bitters was first introduced
fifty years ago, and many persons today
can ascribe their good health to its use.
1t positively cures indigestion, dyspepsia,
constipation, biliousness and liver and
kidney troubles. Don't fail to try it.
Woman's Club.
The Woman's Club met last Saturday
in the club rooms at Mrs. Fletcher's.
Miss Clara Witt began the afternoons
study with paper on wood and ivory
carving. In tracing the history of wood
carving, she said that it was one of the
oldest branches of art, probably older
than that of painting. In most
countries during the earlier develop
ment of plastic art sculpture in wood
took very important position. One of
the most remarkable examples of Egyp-
tian art, dating probably from nearly
1000 years B. c., is life size portrait
statue, now in the Boulak museum.
This is carved out of solid block of
sycamore wood. Although dating from
80 remote period this statue shows a
remarkable amount of technical skill.
1t is probable that the earliest example
of the art among Hellenic races We're the
rude wooden images of the gods.
Most remarkable examples of early
medieval wood carving are doorways of
churches in Scandinavia and Denmark,
dating from the ninth to the thirteenth
century. Beautiful examples of wood
carving were produced in England dur
ing the fourteenth and fifteenth CEN
turtles. Their magnificent church roofs
are among the most perfertistic pro-
auctions of the middle ages.
In modern Europe decorative wood
carving shares the general low level of
the lesser arts, due to the commercial
spirit of age, and the desire to produce
the utmost display with the smallest
cost of labor. 1t is in China and Japan
that wood carvers are absolutely I'M
rivaled in skill. The work is perfect in
execution and exquisite in finish.
In Switzerland, however, wood cary
ing is now growing industry. There
is that in the character of the Swiss
which makes him the true craftsman.
The peasants devote their long evenings
to the carving of wood. The center of
the industry is at Brienz, where a
famous school of eight hundred pupils
has become great success The work
is almost entirely done in the homes,
for factories do not flourish in Switzer-
land. Father and son work together in
the front room of the chalet, while the
product of their tools is spread out to
catch the attention Of the tourist.
ry carving is also very ancient
rvin gs on ivory of prehistoric
times found in caves in Franceare now in
the British museum Two daggers, inlaid
and ornamented with ivory, in the same
are attributed to the age of
Moses. During the time of Charlie
ivory book covers were carved
with gospel subjects. Ivory carving
has long been cultivated in the East
particularly in India, China, and Japan.
The greatest skill, originality, and arts
tic ability are shown in the work of the
japanese.
Some interesting examples of ivory
and wood carving were shown to the
club members by Miss Witt.
The story Of the Swiss people was told
by Mrs. Mary Norris. The story began
with description of the country, which
has so great charm for travellers. In
spite of the wonderful majesty and
beauty of its scenery in no other land is
nature such strong foe to mankind
Life in many parts of Switzerland is re-
iuced to a sordid and never ending
struggle for the mere wherewithal to
keep body and soul together Nature is
here most deceiving full Of beauty, bu
full of danger Everyone has read of
lac avalancAes, of the floods, and storms
which the Swiss people are continually
facing
The frequent recurrence of such dan
gers as these, and the never ending
struggle with such FORMIDABLE difficulties
nave developed in the Swiss special
instinct for self preservation, and its
outcome, engineering The roads over