1925-08-29 — Page 9

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1925.

THE CHINA MAIL.

WHERE YESTERDAY and TODAY MEETI

SIDE-BY-SIDE-

CHOLE CAP

Strange Sights of the Southwest--Prehistoric Ruins Treasure House for the Art

Lover-Indian Fiestas.

By KATHERINE LOUISE SMITH.]

This

If you were asked where is the mext city has become the centre of archaeo- famous Atty miles quare in the South-logical research in America, wast the chances are you would hesitate for an answer, yet Santa Fe and the surrounding country have received that appeliation. There are those who claim that Santa Fe and the environs can offer more strange sights than any other Joenlity in America. It has the unique dstination of providing an atmosphere that only age can give and is a quaint, historic city with many vernic, ethnologic, historic prehistoric and architectural attractions. It is the

ancient city of the Holy Fathers of Saint Francis (La Ciudad Rol de la Santa Fe de San Francisco) Founded in 1608 by one of the Spanish dores on the ruins of an anciers pueblo Atta in a land where once floor prehistoric cliff-dwellers. Thient old- w city has narrow winding streeta where live the descenda of the Spaninres who once owned the fund

the

it has a modern part with up-to-date structures, while within a day's journey are Indian pueblos, Mexican linger, el-dwellings and pre-historic ruins. The locality called "The Home of the Ancients" embraces the plateau region between the Rio Grande and the Jemez Mountains and when the whole region in explored it will be possible to wander through once buried cities older than Pompeii.

Many Ruins Preserved, The School of American Research has been established in Santa Fe, and the

School has already achieved many things. It has restored the Palace of the Governora; built the Museum of Now Mexico; founded the Museum of San Diego; exenvaled ruins in Pajarito Park; Mesa Verde. Chaco Canon, Jemez Platenu and has acquired and holds the people; The Mission (1817) and pueblo ruins of Pecos; The Mission (1617) and pueblo ruins of Jemez; The Mission (1820) and puebla ruins of Gran Quivira (with the United States. Geverament). As une estance of its activities, in Prijeles Canyon have been found 1,500 separate ruins and they are not merely homes built in cliffs, but rasma carved out of the cliff itself. Carleads of pottery have been carried away to enrich museums and still only a few of the artificial caves have been unearthed.

·PREHISTORIC CLIFF OW/E

PAJARITO BARNSLE

that these communal dwellings which are within a few hours ride of Santa Fe the mammoth and great lava flow. were occupied in daya that date back to

This

At about

Santa Fe and surrounding localities. A long list of names of distinguished artists could be quoted who have per manent homes here or spend part of It seema Atting that the ancient city of Santa Fe, self full of historic

the year in making pueblo life and New associations, should be the conserver of

Mexico landscapes their theme. has created a distinct, art movement in the remains of ancient civilizationa, The rooms in these cliff eaves een The New Mexice Historical Society has years ago ainters became interested in

New Mexies for as many as twenty, tain fireplaces, granaries and other a fine museum filled with a collection catching this local colour, in some are covered with crude pictures eventful past of the South-west. It reminders of domestic bfe and the walls

of rolius which speak eloquently of the

that time two young artists from New York came to the pueblo o Taon not of mythical birds, beasts and personagogelso has a remarkable library of South- presumably painted or chipped with westem Americana and in one of the the Indians of Taos, whose ancestors far from Santa Fe and they found there stone hatchets before America was dis- rooms are mural paintings, att deep in had resistest the Spaniards. They were coverad. Whether these cliff-dwellers adobe walls, which were forefathers of the Indians living dwellings and puchlo spion the cliff-self-supporting, self-governing min in nearby pueblon to-day is a

a matter of dispute butt is known that in the days of the De Vargan conquest in 1696 the Invitans fed to these homes in the caves where the Spanish conquerors could not reach them. Archaelogists not say

regions.

Home of Noted Artists, The town does not confine itself to urchacological research for here is the the public the works of many prominent New Art Museum which puts before artists who are making their home in

taining their old habits and religion, giving monthly dances to thoir gods, and wearing the clathes of the Indian instead of the garments of the white that was unique that they decided to man. The two artista found so much

remain and paint and thus started the

THE

endeavours.

Capital on the site of two small India Pagbios. Here the Spanish Con quistador built the City of the Hof Faith and brought the namo from. Granada as a remembrance of far-d Spain. The massive walls of the Paing of the Governor ara three hudred Year Joht and here have taken place man historie, gatherings, Spanish, Puebl Mexican and American governors And captain generals have occupied it,' - has survived the many strange turns by which a Spanish province has becom ¡& state. Lew Wallace lived within 167. walls when he wrote Ben Hur and dra his pictures in this book of the Orien which he had never seen. The Ancion City of the Holy Faith of St. Franch. inspired him, In the plaza facing the Governor's Palace, Onnte firas set in the banner of Spain and Genera Kearney planted the Stars and Stripe here in 1848.,

।་

Yearly Festivali.

To antiquarians the four anciun churches of Santa Fo are reminders d | holy zeal. · Inside the old Chapel of Bat Miguel-an inscription inside the anción door tella how it was partly destroyed by are in 1630-ara ancient paintha done by early Spanish mastors.

venerable buildings form a curious cos traat te modern, hotels, and office, build ings but a contrast not so sharp: one might suppose because the citizeng of the town have in their love for the historic surroundings, developed - whay had been called the only Americ architecture on this continent. Just artists claim that.hero they have found early American art, so there has boon fostered an American typo of archite turn well adapted to the surroundings The New Museum, for instance, in distinctive feature of the New Mexico Mission type which is distinctive from the California Mission typo, and copies. from the terraced houses of the histori tribe of the Pueblos and from Franciscan Misalons.

Here, it claimed is the true, American architec ture, untainted by Spanish, Hindu of Californian influence and many houses

reflect this spirit in thei terraced, plastic outlines.

Every your Taos and Santa Fe ho a festival which is attended by many Easterners and others who come from Taos art colony. Later, an impetus was, intellectual and artistle

a New Mexico art by the erection Besides the artists' collections which are the morning and lasts several day

long distances. The flesta begins In and dedication of an art gallery in con- exhibited there are some pictures which The programmes vary in differen nection with the Museum of New are Research at Santa Fe. Mexico and the School of American Among these is a series of paintings music and several Indian tribes perfor

the property of the Museum. years but Indian chants, Spanish and

American selections form part of th of New Mexico missions which illustrate difficult dances and different version The Art Museum.

lending types of Franciscan architecture of the same dance. It is claimed that The policy of the Art Museum has

and the mural paintings in the Audi-these fiestas have been given since 1712 been & liberal one for the pictures torium which tell the story of the life Frequently, the flesta opens with formal exhibited are not of one school but of of St. Francis. Drawings by Pueblo

Announcements, overy scope of technique. Many noted Indians are also exhibited.

tho

arrival of th artists paint the Pueblos, Navajos and

Governor of New Mexico, the Mayor of Ancient History. Apached and the Museum seeks to

Santa Fe. state, elty and ecclesiastical reflect what is passing in the minds of This quaint Santa Fe where ons New Mexico, the taking of.

oficials. The pageants depict aboriginal the artists who are working in this hundred and seven American

New Mexico environment. There are three galleries seventy-six Muxican and Spanish rulers scenes.

and by De Vargns and other historical where the pictures uro hung and the have

Often these are Buccessively Decupied educated persons who come here believe Governor's Palace on the plaza is an are very fine. Sometimes there is

the descendants of the original, actors acted they have actually discovered something aspiration to many persons, As. far Spanish-American day when Mexican new and worth while for the charm of back as 1008 Don Jusa de Onate independence is celebrated as well romance, adventure and climate stimu- Adelantado, Governor and Captain jour independence, and a pageant ma lates expression. The Art Museam has General of the Kingdom and Province depict Spanish governors, Mexican been an aid in encouraging zil forms of of New Mexico founded his Real or governors and officials.

DOLLAR DAY

ON

MONDAY, August 31st.

AT

WHITEAWAY'S

SALE

We will commence the Final Week of our Great Sale on Monday, August 31st with a Dollar Day. Do not fail to visit our Store on This Day and the Remaining Days of next week and secure your share of the wonderful Bargains. ALL EXCESS STOCK MUST BE CLEARED.

SALE ENDS POSITIVELY SATURDAY,

SEPTEMBER 5.

WHITEAWAY, LAIDLAW

& CO., LTD.,