Household Goods.—We also exhibit household goods, such as chairs and stools (pi. 102, fig. 3); others are shown on Plate 9S (jig. 6); clumsy tables of wood (p1. 99, fig-. 1) and a sofa-like frame which serves as a bed on Plate 98 (fig. 6, the harp-player sits on it; comp. pl. SS, fig. 10). An axe of the Somalis for domestic use is exhibited on Plate Tor (fix. 7). A female slave spinning with a distaff kneels to the left on Plate 9S (fig. 4, in the foreground), and other more awkward spindles, around which the thread is wound by turning the centre stick, are shown on Plate 99 ( fig. 1^ those of the Fundshes, and fig. to, of the Nubians). The artistic spin ning of the Gallas is illustrated on Plate 102 (fig. 3, the sitting figure in the background), and in the same cut the weaving of this people is shown (the figure sitting outside the house, to the left; comp. /51. 9o, Jig. 6), which is like that of South Africa. Fine leather fabrications of the Somalis are shown on Plate Tor (figs. 4, 9): it is well known that all these peoples have extraordinary skill in the workmanship of leather. Plate 105 (fig. 1) shows artistic wood-carvings of the Arabs.
The oil-mill of the Gallas (p1. 102, jig. 3) is rather primitive, as is also the shipbuilding of the East Africans, although it is difficult to build ships on the upper Nile on account of the scarcity of material. The Nubians often hire out as boatmen, and communication in these regions depends chiefly on the Nile navigation. Plate 97 (fig. 8) shows a bark of the upper Nile, with a scaffolding for freight.
Technical and Industrial of the African nations of whom we now treat rank no higher in technical and industrial ability than the better Negro tribes—a fact which will become apparent on comparing our different plates. But the Berbers deserve higher praise: they have in their cities many mechanics—for instance, weavers, goldsmiths, shoe makers, potters, masons, and others; and the Fezaneers, although their country is barren in raw material, are a very enterprising mercantile people and shrewd in the pursuit of business. All these nations manifest eagerness for trade and for the acquisition of property. Many of the Berbers can read and write; the Tuarick have even invented a peculiar alphabet, and the same is said of the Gallas. Their astronomical know ledge amounts to little, and is generally intermixed with mythological notions.
Fine Arts and Architecture. —The artistic accomplishments of the modern Semites, both in Africa and in Asia, are insignificant. The dec orations of the great Hall of Ankober (fl. 99, fig. I) reveal some taste, especially the painted animals of the upper frieze, representing elephants, etc. The buildings on Plate mo (fig. i) are also graceful. But this amounts to little compared with old Egyptian and Assyrian architecture and painting (p/. 103, fig. 5; pl. 106, figs. i, 2, 3, 4). However admirable these old Semitic productions were, it cannot be denied that these arts soon became formal and torpid among the Semites themselves, and fur thermore that many of the principal tribes, such as the Arabians and the Arammans, have accomplished almost nothing in this direction.
is the same with music. For although the old Hebrew music occupies a high rank, considering its period, and although it had an influence by no means unimportant even on later times, still it remained unprogressive. The Arabians also show themselves to be void of artistic talents: their music is closely related to the old Hebrew; they have pretty, soft national songs, but no more, and in general they do not prize music. In North Africa there are short solo songs, generally of a plaintive though not unpleasant melody, such as are sung, for instance, by the Nubian boatmen and the Gallas, and there are wild war-songs (Gallas, Tuarick), which are sung or screamed with great passion.
Musical Instruments. —The instruments are numerous—flutes of vari ous shapes, curved horns, kettledrums, cymbals (fl. 99, fig. r, to the left, in the foreground), and different kinds of stringed instruments, as the harp on Plate 9S (fig. 6), which is in use throughout the entire valley of the Nile; a mandolin-like instrument which is played with a bow is seen on Plate 99 (fig. 1, to the extreme left); at its side is another in the shape of a citteru, and, like it, played with the fingers. It, or an instrument much like it, is in the hands of the figure sitting opposite to the harp player on Plate 9S (fig. 6). But the Abyssinian music is only noise with a little rhythm; the illustration of a court concert on Plate 99 (fig. 1) is not evidence to the contrary.
Poe/iy.-Of all the forms of Semitic poetry, only the lyric is of any importance. The Arabians, and especially the Hebrews, have accom plished something noteworthy in this line, but it has not been developed among them. The little songs of the Arabians are to-day just what they were one and two thousand years ago, and the poetry of the Nubians, the Gallas, Tuarick, and Berbers is similar to them, being short lyric out bursts, such as the moment inspires.
II may be said that the life of some of these nations, especially of the Berber and Arab tribes, consists of war. In regard to the weapons, we meet one South-African peculiarity in North Africa-nanielv, a short dagger carried on the left forearm by means of a leather strap, as among the Tuarick ioo, fig. 4), the Nubians (p1. 9s, As,v. p1. 99, fig. S), and the Galla nations (pl. 101, fig. io). It is encased in a leather or copper sheath. In addition, the Tuarick from the time of manhood carry on the right arm a stone ring, which they never take off, and which serves them as an instrument of striking when in close combat. Besides the dagger, the three principal weapons of the Semites are the bow and arrow, the spear, and the broadsword, like those made in Solingen, Rhenish Prussia (Duveyrier).