Evening star., 1923-08-03
Jockey Clubs Growing Collection
Of Art Pertaining TO the Turf

of the city of Fiume was on every
body's lips in connection with the
controversy about its fate. in which
the names of Gabrielle d dAnnunzio,
the Italian Foreign Minister Sornino.
the aged Serbian Premier Paschich,
Lloyd George. Clemenceau and Wood
row Wilson were concerned. PreSi-
dent Wilson's extraordinary appeal
10 the Italian people over the head OF
their government. resulting III
cabinet crisis at Rome. today few peo-
pie retain any remembrance as to the
ultimate fate Of this important city
and seaport on the Adriatic. Nor
they. apparently. aware ethat by vlr-
tue OF the treaty of Rapollo between
Italy and King Alexander of Serbia,
as head of the federation of Jugo-
slaria. today Fiume is recognized as
free and Independent city with a
population of $4,000 and a territory
of about eight square miles.
PhIlatellStS on this side of the At
lantic may be. therefore, interested
to learn that Fiume has just definite
~ adopted new postage stamp, the
design representing an ancient galley
under full sail, printed in green, vio-
let and brown, according to the value
The stamps representing a value OF
90 cents and of a lire are adorned
with an effigy of St Vito, while the
letters bear miniature reproduction
OF the port of Fiume from a six
teenth century print.
x
It is a mistake to attach any i'm
portance to the popular impression
that the Japanese have been tempted.
by the love of lucre. TO sell. abroad,
most of her art treasures. The bulk
of them remain fn the island empire
of the orient. But they are not often
shown TO foreigners nor even to the
native public. The lieges of the
mikado have queer ideas on the sub
ject, entirely different to those of
western nations. Thus, when a Eu-
ropean or American manages to Sc
cure possession of some unique mas
terpieces of ancient or modern art, he
loves 10 show ii to his friends and
acquaintanceS, and even to place it
on public exhibition, so great is his
pride of ownership. The Japanese
art lover, on the other hand. seems
to think the vulgar gaze d profana-
ton of the chef d'oeuvre and CON
cealS II as much as possible from the
public view, reserving it for the, 20
him, eplcurean pleasure of private
and personal contemplation This is
not only the case with the great and
small mobiles of Japan. but also with
her clergy and religious orders.
Prof. Latta of tho Glasgow Unive--
sity. who has just returned to Scot
land after a twelve-month stay in
the orient. has been literally dunn
founded by the extraordinary extent
of the well nigh priceless art treas
ures hidden away in the receSseS @
ancient temples and monasteries rt
Japan and, so remarkable are IN"
revelations contained in the report Of
I his trip that the British Museum is
~
lpert on Japanese art, at the head of "A
carefully chosen commission for the
purpose of making a comprehensive
study and. if possible. a catalogue OF
the contents of the temples
1t would be well if he were 20 avail
himself of the occasion to visit the
chieftains of the old families, espe-
ciaTly those of noble rank. He will
| look in vain in their ofttimes new
and elaborately adorned houses, or
even palaces, for any remarkable
work of art But if he manages to
win the confidence and the good will
! of his host, the latter will, after a
! time call trusted retainer and send
| him out to his godown in the grounds,
| a sort of alright warehouse, some
times constructed of brick or cement,
! but more often, of thick, baked mud
| From the innermost recesses of the
/ godown will be brought d bundle en-
yeloped in all sorts of Satins. silks
| and quilts, these latter often of the
| most dingy description. and, en-
veloped therein, will be found some ex-
| traordinary piece of cloiSonne enamel
or of lacquer or porcelain or carving
of ivory jaae. which will be shown
to the visitor much as il IL were a
| holy relic before being returned to It's
hiding place.