108 ST. HELENA 



For some time I had been teaching the children of the 

 island the art of pillow-lace making, and was anxious that 

 they should have an opportunity of exhibiting, and per- 

 chance of disposing of their work. This idea, enlarged, 

 became a scheme for the holding of an exhibition of in- 

 dustrial arts in the island. A committee, headed by 

 His Excellency the Governor, the Bishop, the United States 

 Consul and others was formed ; when, to further extend the 

 exhibition, I proposed that the prisoners of war might also 

 be allowed to exhibit. This met with unanimous approval, 

 and after securing the consent of the Officer Commanding 

 troops, the prisoners were asked to contribute, not as com- 

 petitors, but as exhibitors with a view to sale. The idea 

 was eagerly taken up by them, and so numerous were their 

 exhibits that a separate room was allowed for their con- 

 tributions. A committee was elected from their number 

 on parole, and these carried out their part of the work so 

 well that the section was a great credit to their manage- 

 ment. 



Models of carts, model of stamping machinery, carved 

 caskets, boxes, pipes, sticks, etc., etc., all found ready 

 sale. The tools with which these were made were also 

 exhibited, being old table knives made into saws, umbrella 

 wires as fret-saws, stone hammers, etc. 



The drawings, paintings, and etchings were very beauti- 

 ful, as also was the writing, illuminations, manuscript 

 music, etc. The exhibition was opened on November 10, 

 1900, for five days, and was a great success. Island-made 

 pottery (by His Excellency the Governor), carving, models, 

 island-made preserves, plain and fancy needlework, and 

 pillow, Torchon, Honiton, and Point lace, photographs, 

 paintings, etc., well filled the section devoted to the islanders, 

 the little lace-workers and wood-carvers gaining especial 

 praise, as well as substantial remuneration for their work. 



It was a pleasant change from the antagonism still going 

 on in South Africa to the peaceful rivalry of the indus- 

 trial arts, and it was a subject for wonder that such 

 beautiful results could have been obtained from the rudest 

 of implements and material. The exhibition caused a break 

 in the monotony of the prisoners' lives, and caused a better 

 feeling to spring up between them and the islanders. 



