Art and Handcraft in the Woman's Building
of the World's Columbian Exposition

IN THE WOMAN’S BUILDING. 259 Mme. Schabelskoy’s most wonderful and rare collection of Russian woman’s ancient work is not yet open to the public, but is of greatest scientific importance as saving from oblivion olcl patterns and designs. | Of Charity I find it unnecessary to speak, for in Russia, as every- where else, woman has always considered it her special field. Something of the status of Russian woman can be learned from the following details: She inherits (when there is no special testament) the fourteenth part of her father's and seventh part of her husband’s fortune. In marrying she keeps all rights of possession in complete equality with the man. Land-owning gives her all the same privileges, such as voting (not personally, but by proxy) in the provincial and municipal elections. Thus we see that Russian woman takes a great part in the social and political life of her country; and that whichever way man wishes to direct his activity, woman will always stand by him with helping and encouraging hand. Our national literature that has always truly represented Russian life in all its depths and variety has made of the Russian woman a beloved and inexhaustible subject. Its masterpieces offer high- est examples of feminine character; the type has been immortal- ized by the pen of such men as Poushkine, Tolstoy, Tourgueneff, Gontcharoff, and Russian women can be proud of the tribute that fiction pays to reality. Princess M. Schahovskoy. Attention is called to the beautiful entrance of the Russian section. This is a reproduction of a Byzantine gate of the twelfth century, in the famous church of Tourieff Polski. It is made of oak, and is a triumph of fine joiner’s work, not one nail being used. The quaint and delicate design is produced by a method invented by the Princess Schakowskoy. The surface of the wood is overlaid with real gold- leaf, from which the design is burnt out. The color produced by the gold sinking into the wood is very rich and unique. We are'glad to learn that this piece of work, which was designed and macle by Russian women, may be bought and retained in our country at the close of the Fair.—Ed. . • I