St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-04-23
MUSEUM NOTES
A Case of Tunisian Articles DOnoat-
ed by Mrs. j. T. Herrick

A Case of Tunisian Articles DOnoat-
ed by Mrs. j. T. Herrick
A new case has been placed in
the east balcony and a remarkably
beautiful and interesting exhibit of
articles from Tunis installed in it.
These are the gift of Mrs. Joseph
t. Herrick of Springfield, Mass, and
were secured by her last summer
while on trip IN northern Africa.
The visitor will be attracted first
by a mans suit of light blue broad
cloth. 1t is heavily embroidered
with gold, the decoration being the
work of men tailors. The suit con-
sists of very full, baggy trousers,
coat and two vests. Ordinarily but
one vest is worn, the second being
put on when extra warmth is re-
quired.
The woman's suit is of sky-b1ue
satin with silver embroidery, loose
Turkish trousers, a sleeveless waist,
under which a soft white silk shirt
is worn, and bolero, complete this
costume The bolero is a mass of
silver worked in an intricate design
on a black background and lined
with cerise satin. Turban and slip
pers, both covered with gold braid,
are worn with the suit.
The bournous or cloak is used by
all men of northern Africa. In shape
it is much like a lady's opera cape,
though considerably longer and
wider. The hood is usually worn
over the head, but may be left hang
| ing at the back or over the left
shoulder. Besides serving as an
outside garment, the bournous is
wrapped about the Arab at night
and since it is usually made of a
very fine quality of broadcloth, is
so firm that it is waterproof and
will withstand attacks of storm and
cold.
The fez or turban of red felt with
black silk tasesl is another import
ant part of an Arabian costume.
This fez is softer than that of the
Turk and not so high. The tassel
is the special pride of its owner
and a poor man often puts all his
money into a particularly fine one.
The Kabyle jewelry is perhaps
the most interesting article in the
exhibit. 1t is made by the people
of Kabylia, a region lying among
the mountains on the northern part
of the Barbary coast. The people
are not Arabs, but show by their
blue eyes and fair compilations that
they are descendants of Europeans
who probably explored this region
centuries ago. They are brave and
vigorous and have a strong love for
their rough hill country, so until
recently they were independent.
Even now, though nominally under
the control of France, they live
their lives according to their own
customs and laws to a great extent.
While their costume is quite simple,
the women going with unveiled
faces, their fondness for decoration
is shown by their use of this curious
jewelry of silver or other metal, adj
orned with bits of coral and enamel.
1t is all handmade and no family is
SO poor but that on festal days it's
members may appear in public load
ed with jewels that in kaleidoscope
effect are most remarkable.
Among several other exhibits in
this Tunisian case, the coffee ser
vice may be mentioned. 1t consists !
of a heavily chased brass tray hold |
ing a tall coffee pot, sugar bowl and |
half dozen tiny brass cups which in
turn hold cups of blue and white |
pottery The coffee berry is ground |
fresh for each serving in the brass
mlIl WHICH accompanies the SET, anu |
is mixed with the boiling water till |
a muddy liquid, thick as chocolate, |
is obtained. This is sweetened to |
degree and is drunk from the china |
cups which hold about a tablespoon
full each. Since both liquor and to-
bacco are prohibited to the Arab by |
his religion, coffee is his only slim
ulant and he INDUCES in it freely.
A descriptive catalog of the Tun- |
lsian articles may be found near the |
case and reference to it will enable /
visitors to study the exhibit to the |
best advantage.
The Museum flower table was
started for this season on April Is.
The plants exhibited have been the
speckled alder, brought in March
27; poplar, March 30; hazel-nut
and gill-over-the-groun April II;
coltsfoOt, April IA; spring beauty,
April 16; leatherwood, April II;
white maple, April 1S; glaucous
and yellow willow and bloodroot,
April FL
The number of birds on the Mi
grafton Record has increased very
slowly the past two weeks. The
only new birds reported are the
phoebe. April 8; cowbird, April 8;
meadowlark, April 10; golden
crowned kinglet, April IL; savanna
sparrow. April IA; vesper spar
row, April &c.