Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06
IN ARTISTIC RELICS
IRELAND RANKS HIGH AS RE
CARDS ANTIQUITIES.

Special Cablegram to The Star
DUBLIN, May 5.-Ireland Is certainly as
rich in artistic relics of ancient days as
almost any other part of western Europe.
AS usual the more conspicuous Antiquities
are eccIestiastical-the book OF Durrow,
copy Of the gospels in Latin, is perhaps as
old as the seventh century; the book of
Armagh was written in the beginning OF
the ninth, and its satchell or outer covering
is still preserved. is the splendid shrine
of the Book of Drimma, the older part of
which may not be less ancient But these
works of primeval scribes are surpassed by
the Book of Kells, which. though probably
written 1900 years ago, is still so eXqui
stely ornamented that 1t has been describ-
ed the most beautiful book in the
world" The singular ornamentation of
these manuscripts IS often repeated on the
sculptured crosses in which Ireland is
exceptionally rich.
Again, in metal work the ancient irish
were wonderful artificers, is proved by
such antiquities as st. Patrick's bell-pFob-
ably fourteen centuries old-with its shrine
made about the tenth century, and the gol-
den cross of Cong. AT a time when Eng
land was still OVerrun with heather tribes
Ireland the home of learning, and the
Irish people were highly developed in arts
tic skill And now, to take a practical view
of the question. Irish art industries, there
abroad there exists a genuine desire to as
sist Irish enterprises.
Developing Artistic Taste.
In order to assist in developing artistic
taste and manual dexterity and also the
applying of art to the industries the Royal
Dublin Society holds each year an exhibit
ton of Irish art industries, at which lib
eraI money prizes offered. The exhibit
ton is held annually in conjunction with
the great Irish horse show in August, in
order that the art industries of Ireland
may be brought under the notice of the
thousands of visitors who flock to the show
from all parts of the world.
The exhibition was for some years held
In an out-of-the-way part of the premises
and did not attract the attention it n2erited
The Royal Dublin Society, however, the
year before last built a splendid hall at
Ballsbridge specially for the Irish art in
dustries exhibition, viii I'll viii open on Au-
gust IS Upward of 81 go will be offered
in many prizes IN the following classes
Lace, embroidery, tapestry, wood carving,
typography and stained wood work, metal
work, artistic enameiing, leather work,
bookbinding, Illuminating, stained glass
work modelling for ornamental plaster
work, mosaic work and designs.
Views of John Dillon.
The Swnford rural district council has
received the following letter from Mr.. John
Dillon, NJ. P, in reply to a resolution re-
Gently adopted by it in reference to the re-
strictions on the Importation of Canadian
cattle into the united kingdom:
II think can safely assure the members
of the Swinford rural district council that
the Irish party will do all in its power TO
defeat the proposal TO open the ports to
Canadian store cattle. But at the same
time i think it is only fair that l should
let the members of the council know that
in my Judgment the ports Will ultimately
be thrown open to Canadian stores, and
that at no distant date. And | may add
that so long as the Importation of dead
meat and fat cattle for slaughter at the
ports is allowed the present scale the
effect on the price of stores must u I'm lte-
~ be the same, whether young catt,e are
allowed in or not; and | would strongly
impress upon all concerned that in cal
cuIating the value of land they win be act
ing very unwisey if they do not go on the
assumption that Canadian stores will be-
fore long be admitted. and allow in their
calculations for the consequent fall in the
value of young cattle