The Warwickshire Herald. — 1893-11-16 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SILVER CITIZIOS IN CHINA.  The extraordinary popularity of silver for ornaments and curios in China is referred to by the American Consul at Amoy in a recent report: Silver jewellery and curis iii China are universal; the poorest coolie's wile has usually silver bracelets ,•,d earengs In curios and brie-à-brac the number of silver.articles is legion. The greatest manufacturing centre is Canton, but Many, Foochow, Nanking, and l'ekin possess artists and guilds whose workmanship is famous all over the Empire. One class of designs consists of miniature reproductions of features of daily life, and is adapted for earrings and watch charms. Among tile most familiar objects are the pagoda, sampan (or native boat), junk, the sedan chair, the smallfooted lady's shoe, the Goddess of Mercy, the Celestial Poodle, the King of the Fishes, the sitting Buddha, tile dragon, the dying serpent, the begging priest, the tiger, lion, horse, pig. buffalo, elephant, turtle, crocodile, monkey, cat, and dog. The largest does not exceed two inches in length, and levy diminish to dainty little objects no larger than a grain of corn. The work and finish are admirable, the features and hair of the human beings and animals and the scales of the fish and crocodiles being reproduced with the highest care and skill. Another class consists of imitation cordage. The metal is solid, but the surface is so cleverly wrought out that at first sight each piece seems a rope cord, or braid. Some are as fine as sewing silk, while others are as thick as clothes-lines. The silver is alloyed with a small percentage of copper to increase its hardness and to allow the fine carving and engraving impossible in the softer substance of pure silver. These silver cords are used for bracelets, anklets, necklaces, belts. sword hangings, and horses' harness. Though stiff, they I are not rigid, and can tie bent in every direction. 1 A third class comprises household ornaments, such as matchboxes, ash cups, joss-sticks, bowls, sandalwood urns, plates for opium pipes, button boxes, and so on without end. They are of the same general type and about the same value as those made in America and Europe. A fourth class includes filigree work and fissures made from fine silver wire, and is marked by the highest skill and n auty. It is, and has been for centuries, a favourite kind of work among the Chinese. There s but little doubt that Marco Polo brought specimens of it to Europe from Nanking, and in MB manner aided in the after development of the guilds of Italy and France. The designs sometimes are marvellous. One from Foochow consisted of a .‘-,tiquet, over which was loosely wrapped a silken veil. It was so perfectly made that the veil looked as if it might blow away at any moment. Through its flimsy folds the flowers and leaves were all visible. Another artistic gem was a little bouquet in which ferns, lilies of the valley, and similar botanical beauties were perfectly photographed in m•tals.  Mr. Ingram Bywater, one of the beet Greek sell gars in the Universitv of Oxford, has been app,inte I Professor of Gr?:1, in to room of the late Mi.ster of Balliol.  Ms. James It. Roosevelt, the wife of the Seers. v te !he American Embassy to the Court of St. Janvs'l..;ied at Ascot on Sunday afternoon. .4).,rting en regret the death of Mr. C. C. R tiimon' who had officiated as racing "judge" at N winti sret, Epiorn, Ascot, Goodwood, and other ra P meetines. Ness has been received in Preston of the murder, lines Ayres, of Mr. Charles Edward Mouncey, n.• C.dcwel Mouncey, of Foxholes, near Preston. Al, M ancey was the manager of a railway in P.C. Ayres, and WX3 to hAve been married to Mils Walker, niece of the late C. W. Walker, contrartr of the Preston Dock and Manchester Ship Mr. Mouncey was found lying dead, having been shot through tile head in a house he was I rnishing in view of Ina approaching marriage.  "illy first purchase is my last." said a cobbler who was just starting in lousiness.  Yather: "Weren't you out very late last night?" Sou: "No, sir; I was in very late."  The hair of a young lady in Sheffield turned white in a single night. She fell into a flour barrel. l'oninous sekiel examiner: "Hew is the earth divided?" Intelligent lad: "By earthquakes, sir." Widower: "Will you share my lot ?" Widow: "No; its full. I was up iii the eamistery looking E it itaterdsy."