Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 282, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1912 — Page 3

CHE question of'excavating - Herculaneum has always been a subJect of intense interest for savants. Herculaneum was a small provincial town which was not famed even for its commerce; but owing to its position in the middle of the Bay of Naples, with Vesuvius and Mqunt Somma in the background, the site was a favorite one with wealthy Romans for their villas. It was destroyed so rapidly by the eruption of .Vesuvius in A. D. 79 that the excavations there are sure to bring to light ancient life Just as it was lived. Pompeii was buried slowly beneath volcanic asheß and

much was saved from it by Its Inhabitants, or dug out and dispersed by Pliny’s contemporaries and by the barbarians who followed them even in civilized times. On the contrary, Herculaneum was sealed in its tomb in a few hours by the mixture of mud, ashes and scoriae, and no one has even been able to reach it, so high is the mountain of debris and hardened stone by which it was covered. “The entombment of Herculaneum,” says Mr. Waldstein, was sudden, complete and secure, and this was not the case with the other Campanian cities, nor with Pompeii.” From the excavations under Reßlna treasures have already been obtained. “All Europe," wrote a correspondent of the Mercure de France in 1751, “impatiently supports the suspense in which it is held over the discoveries in ancient Herculaneum, ot Heraclea, as it is now termed in Naples.” But only at present has the Italian government ,d>een able to think of accomplishing the gigantic task of unearthing the entire city, and it is most probable that the new tone given to the national spirit by the war may make the charge appear light which must be imposed upoh the budget in order to obtain a complete result In Roman official spheres there is absolutely no knowledge of the existence of and project of Mr! J. Pierpont Morgan .for excavations at Herculaneum. Mr. Morgan’s name has been mixed up with this question owing to the fact that Mr. Charles Waldstein, the author of an international project for unearthing the buried city, delivered a lecture on January 3, 1905, in his house in New York with the object of collecting the money necessary for the work, which was then estimated at 1,000,000 ilre annually, at least Before lecturing lh. New York Mr. Waldstein had visited Rome and spoken on the matter with the klfirg, Signor Giolitti and Signor Orlando, then minister of public instruction. He had even obtained from Signor Orlando a letter warmly commending the project, but in no way engaging his responsibility. As soon as the idea became known in Italy the press raised violent protests and Signor Orlando was obliged to withdraw his moral support from Mr. Waldstein. Two years later an under secretary of state for education declared in the chamber of deputies that the Italian government reserved to itself the faculty of making the necessary excavations, and that a commission had been appointed with this object and funds supplied to the general direction of fine arts and antiquities, the direction of which had Just been placed under Signor Corrado Ricci, a world renowned writer on art. Mr. Waldstein later published an account of his ill luck in Italy and America in a book upon Herculaneum which was much appreciated ("Herculaneum, Past, Present and Future,” by Charles Waldstein; London; Macmillan & Co.. 1908). I saw Signor Giacomo Boni this morning at the excavations on Mount Palatino, where he has just made some lucky finds, which led him to ask humbly: “Am I worthy of it?” He declared to me that he knew nothing of any project of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan in regard to the question of excavations at Herculaneum —a question, moreover, that has been settled. Signor Corrado Ricci, general director of fine arts and antiquities, repeated the same thing to me. He added, “The Italian government will never —I repeat never—give permission to any one whatever to search the soil of the fatherland. We are not Turkey! Even though foreign governments should express the desire to %xcavate In certain places to complete their studies, we should hasten to undertake the wort ourselves, at our own expense, and to place the material unearthed at the disposal of whoever wishes to study them. “This is what we have Just done for the Grand Ptchy of Baden, which desired to know what was hidden yr'W the soil of Txierja, in Crotona, in

DELVING for TREASURES of ART

culaneum the city of Resina is built and the expropriation' of the land there is not so easy as in the case of Pompeii. We have under consideration a bill dealing with the proprietorship of archaeological subsoils, which will probably allow us to excavate • Herculaneum by a series of underground galleries without demolishing the pretty little town which stands smilingly above it. A commission has been appointed with this object. There is no immediate call for the under taking except that due to our praiseworthy curiosity. The world of stience can wait; it has yet to study at least three-quarters of the objects found at Pompeii and in the-vicinity, and the jewels of art which are hidden under the . lava are not perishing. On the contrary, the frescoes uncovered at Pompeii some fifty years ago are spoiling and falling into ruin under the action of the air and damp.” m It is little wonder that the entire world has been so deeply interested in the excavations at Herculaneum and that archaeologists and historians have treasured such an ardor for the completion of the unearthing of the ancient city for so many years, for the conditions of its tragic engulfment were such that it is generally believed these ruins more than any others will present a complete picture of the life of the times before the sepulture of the city. The more suddenly the forces of nature did their work ot destruction the more perfect have been found to be all the details of the buildings and their furnishings when the work of excavation has been completed. In the other cities where great excavations have been made the destruction was more gradual and great havoc was wrought before the final sepulture took place. Thus, although some of the other points at which excavations have been made were of greater importance in the ancient world than was Herculaneum, it offers the most perfect opportunities for beholding an ancient settlement as It existed, with few important details destroved or disturbed. Another point which contributes to the greater Importance of Herculaneum as a field for archaeological investigation is that the suddenness of the 1 disaster from which it suffered made it impossible for the inhabitants to make an effort to save any of the valuable articles of their homes by attempting to remove them to some distant place. In Pomp|il, for instance, there was ample time to remove* many of the most precious belongings of the inhabitants. But in Herculaneum this seems to have been impossible, and the valuable objects of the rich households were buried beneath the mass of liquid mud which inundated the city as securely as if they had been locked in impregnable vaults. This mud was an extraordinarily successful preserving fluid, to judge from the finds which have been made, for Instead of the surface of objects having been burned and charred by hot ashes, as was the case at Pompeii, at Herculaneum the objects discovered by the excavators were many of them in wonderfully perfect condition. Bronze, marble and glass objects were none of them severely damaged, and manuscripts were sufficiently preserved to maze possible their restoration to a degree which is highly satisfactory to archaeologists and historians. That the modern world will be able to obtain a better illustration of Hellenic culture as ,lt was represented in a Graeco-Roman town from the’ excavations at Herculaneum than from those at Pompeii is the belief of many who have made a comparative study of the ruined cities. They adduce this belief from the fact that Herculaneum is believed to have been less of a commercial settlement than was and that its inhabitants were greatly more Interested In the fine arts and in all that pertained to the most advanced thought and culture of the times. The inhabitants of Pompeii, on the opier hand, are be-

spends from two to three millions yearly in digging. The excavations at Pompeii alone cost 200,000 tire a year. The government will also search the soil 6l Hercujaneum, but that is not so simple an undertaking as the uncovering of Pompeii, over ( which vineyards and olive'groves have spread. Above HerMagna Graecia. We expended 30,000 lire to satisfy the wish. That is what we did also for the British Archaeological school In Rome, which desired to complete special researches in the Forum of Nerva. t “The Italian goyern--1 ment,” Signor Corrado Ricci continued, “already

no manuscripts existed in this city of merchants. Herculaneum in the time of its prosperity occupied to Rome somewhat the position which a suburban 4;own of wealth in the vicinity of a great city fills today. Well-to-do citizens of Rome resorted thither for the benefit of theii health, as its air was believed to be particularly exhilarating. Rest and quiet from the disturbing influences of the great center were found in the luxurious villalT which were situated In and around Herculaneum. There seems to have been no Industry in the town except fishing, and the character of the ruins suggests that, like such a prosperous suburban retreat of today, the settlement rejoiced in all that wealth and care could afford of beauty and convenience. Agrippina the elder,'according to Seneca, was the owner of one of the most gorgeous of the villas in Herculaneum, which, it is believed, was destroyed by the Emperor Caligula because his mother had once been imprisoned therein. Another. splendid villa was the Casa dei Papiri. The Nonii of Nuceria were also among the aristocrats of the time who had villas in the charming little town. Aeeording to Profesor Hughes, “Herculaneum Is buried not under lava, rarely under natural cement, but generally under locally consolidated tuff (tuff is the word most commonly used when the ash is so far consolidated as to break into lumps). Seeing that we have reason to believe that at least as much ash has fallen since the first century A. D. as fell in 79 A. D., the first thing to do is to endeavor to distinguish between the successive eruptions. If we could find at the bottom of a layer of ash Just enough pottery or other relics to enable us to identify them as belonging to the seventeenth century or earlier, that line should be traced with the greatest care. In this way we might feel our way back Into the remote past and perhaps somewhere make out upon satisfactory evidence how deep some part of Herculaneum was buried in the eruption of 79 A. D.”

SMALL STORES BOOMING.

Certaln Retailers Have Not Been Injured by Great Enterprises. "When, a while ago, the great stores had so increased in size and in the multiplicity of things they dealt in that they, could supply about every human requirement," said a city dweller, “some people thought that the day of the small store keeper was over, that the little storekeeper couldn’t compete with the big one, but the small store is still doing business. I see now as many of them if not more than ever before; and at this, at first, I wondered; but I don’t wonder so much now, since our baby came. “Of course I don’t refer here to grocery stores and butcher shops and various smaller stores furnishing food supplies, which must always remain everywhere; I am speaking of those other many smaller stores, supplying dry goods and fancy goods and hardware and housefurfiishings. These are the little stores that were to be put out of business, but which do not seem to have gone. And what has the baby to do with all this? J’ll fell you. “The mother with a young child, whether she is with or without servants, sticks pretty close to home, the better to look after the baby's welfare. For her minor shopping, anyway, she doesn’t go far. She finds that in her neighborhood there are many little shops where they seP many things, and if she finds these places to br nice little shops, where they keep nice things, so lected with taste and judgment, she keeps on buying there steadily. “There are thousands of such shoppers scattered everywhere about the city, making business for the neighborhood shopkeeper. The great stores do a great business, whose vast volume annually Increases, but there appears still to be room for the little storekeeper, too, it. he will make his store and his goods attractive, and do business In a really businesslike way.”

“What would you call that expression of old Triflt’s face?” A "That depends. His enemies call It a Cheesy cat grin, but his friends speak of it as an in scrutible smile.” \

Doing Her Best.

"Do you try to be all things to all men?” “I do what I can to cater to a preference,” an swered the summer girlt *Tve been both $ blonde and a brunette , thls past mssttk”

lleved to have been at* aggregation of merchants very largely, and as such they were not particularly representative of the life and thought of 'the most highly cultivated people of the times. One of the reasons for this belief in the different character of the two cities is the die covery of such a large number of manuscripts at Herculaneum, whereas at Pompeii no manuscripts have been discovered. Some students of the excavations attribute this fact to the greater destruction that took place at Pompeii or to the fact that so many of the valuables were removed, but this point of view is disputed by many persons, who are of the belief that

Defined.

NEW MILLINERY POINTS

60ME CHANGES IN STYLES ARE TO BE NOTED. Beal-Brown Color Maintains Its Popu- ~ larity—Gorgeousness Still Is a Marked Feature of the Fashions. The ever-interesting story of the hat holds the attention of womankind from dawn to sunset. It changes with the hours of the day, the days of the week, the weeks of the season. And because of its comparatively small Cost it appears In numbers in the ordinary woman’s outfit. Georgette is emphasizing the sealbrown color in millinery. It bids fair to supplant the black-and-white and blue-and-white alliance that was so strong. The tam-o’-shanter crown on a flat brim is another type of hat launched by this well-known milliner. This suggests a change from the beret cap, yet has all the becomingness of the cap-worn by the peasants in Spain. Maline hats are another innovation. The lightness of weight will commend them to women who cannot wear heavy chapeaux. Just one extreme hat that takes us back to Empress Eugenie, or, still further, to the Watteau period, has a flat top. There is Just a little gutter to suggest a crown, in which is laid a wreath of flowers. The hat is raised from the hair by a rose-covered bandeau, and velvet ribbons tie it securely on the head. The velvet facing is prominent, frequently combined with moire and fabrics that are excellent imitations of fur. Trimming has moved toward the front, the stiff cockades, brushes and cord ornaments being particularly favored for hats to be worn with directoire and revolutionary suits. The brim flares away from the face in many types, and huge buckles are noticeable, holding scarfs on .practical hats for fall and winter. Ribbon loops and bows are still good and inexpensive, while aigrettes have “been hlghly favored for afternoon and evening. Velour hats are in great demand, and the leading milliners in Paris are shoving them with smart ornaments of picot-edged faille ribbon. Mushroom shapes with tam-o’-shan-ter crowns are the important word in tho millinery story. Sailors in many varieties of velvet anil plush will be favored for walking suits, If the showing of a well-known bouse be an Indication. Ostrich fantaisies are used for afternoon hats. Wings rank next in importance, the white vulture, goura and magpie furnishing the greater part of the immense supply demanded by milliners.

Wedding Gifts.

A charming idea that will be useful to those who know and wish to make offerings to the bride and bridegroom is to give them presents that match. A popular young couple with many mutual friends received ampng their wedding presents last week two stick umbrellas for country wear, exactly alike save that one was just a little more attenuated in stature and bulk than the other.

GOOD IN HOUSE OR SCHOOL

This would be a useful little drdss| for school or house wear, and might be made in fine cotton or woolen materials. " It has a yoke §t the back, coming to the shoulders In frontl where the material of front is plainly set to it. A strap trimmed with buttons is taken down center of front, and a band draws the dress In below the waist.

The HOME DEPARTMENT

TWO OF THE LATEST STYLES

Costume In Natural-Colored Shantung and Home Dress Made Up of Rose Pink Linen. Linen Dress.—Rose pink Hnen la used for this pretty, simple dress. . The skirt has a shaped seam dovns the center front laid on with a wide wrapped seam. The Magyar bodice fastens in front with buttons; it is trimmed with a frill of lace; the sleeves are gathered up on the outside of arm and fulness fixed under a button covered with the lienen. An embroidered lawn collar makes a dainty finish at the throat Hat of white Tagel, trimmed with bunches of pink roses. Materials required: 4% yards 42 inches wide, % yard lace, 2 buttons. Shantung Costume. —This shows a style In heavy natural-colored Shan* tung, simply and effectively made. The skirt has the right side of front laid on left in a wrapped seam, hav*

Linen Dress. Shantung Costume.

lng two scallops cut in with it kt foot; a button is sewn in each of these. The coat is cut Magyar, and has a long opening at front, which terminates below waist by the scallope, which are cut in with right front and taken over the left to form fastening. It has no collar; the collar of the blouse, which is of white lawn embroidered in emerald green, is worn over the coat, and this, with the ti% to match, gives a smart finish. Hat covered in Shantung and trimmed with two black and white wings. Materials required: 8 yards Shantung 36 inches wide, 4 buttons.

For Beauty and Bervice.

The woman who wishes to combine beauty with utility will use serge. Blue and brown are the favorite colors; gray and green are good. A dress of serge trimmed with black satin and lace may b 4 very smart.

Materials required: 2% yards 49 inches wide, 1 dozen buttons. Bonnet of the material, with the revers embroidered In the corners. Materials required: 2% yards 44 inches wide, *4 yard silk 40 inches wide, 2 yards lace, 1 yard satin for lining bodice.

Waists of White Lace.

According to the Dry Goods Economist, white lace waists or models of net and lace combined are very practical, as they are not only dressy, but, at the same time, give good service. The finer patterns are particularly attractive, especially in the shadowy variety, while the Imitation Carmickmacross, Cluny and filet are very effective in popular and mqdlum-priced garments. Tucked net alternating with broad inserts of lace is an effective combination used in models from five dollars up at retail. China silk, net, soft pompadour silks and chiffon are favorite materials for the linings, as the vogue for transparent effects creates a demand for waists with linings of very light-weight material.

Hairpin Box.

One may obtain the most charming and at once the most useful hairpin box which has been shown for many; a day. It is made entirely of dark tortoise shell, and stands about threap Inches high and fire inches long. .That' little top opens to hold one site hairpins, Sp 4, without closing this; there* may be endued at the same lower trays, in the manner of drawers. It will distinctly appeal to* the woman who mast dress in dlipriryi and for whom attractivetoilet articles have a strong charm. * '~l .‘VaSE?