Show Old Art Artof of Making Furniture by Hand HandIs Is ls F Followed by Craftsmen in Bermuda I The d deftness of the early settlers in Bermuda in making household furniture from wood of the thc cedar trees they found growing on the is islands islands islands is- is lands Is is' preserved today three centuries centuries cen cen- In later ter in many of their descendants descendants de de- de- de writes a Hamilton Bermuda Bermuda Bermuda Ber Ber- muda correspondent in the New NewYork NewYork NewYork York Times While m many many ny Bermuda contain con con- contain tain ain pieces of antique furniture fashioned by the hands of men who fought against the sea to gain a foothold on the jagged coral shore they also can show tables chairs and bedsteads made mad by con contemporary contempo tempo r ry residents which follow v closely old designs designs' and methods of the workmanship of the colonists Little Littler of ot the work is done professionally pro because American and British furniture British furniture may be purchased comparatively cheaply But the joy of the craftsman Inherited through several generations manifests itself itself it it- it self in In the pride that Is expressed in inthis inthis this typical Bermuda hobby Only old cedar wood Is used used wood wood od th that thatIs t Is thoroughly dead dry and aged For this reason beams and sup sup- ports of ot old houses houses houses' during course course ourse of demolishment are eagerly sought by amateur cabinet cabinetmakers This wood is extremely hard and anda a great deal of time and care are expended in manufacture of the fur fur- Calloused hands hands for for many use only a sharp penknife penknife are are the reward The old gnarled cedar however Is replete with fine knot holes Polish is never used in the finishing finishing finishing finish finish- ing of the furniture But wax and oil used in small quantities gives a arIch arich arich rich dull finish and in addition preserves the thc pungent fragrance of the cedar Alter After years of use tho the pieces acquire a polish of their own through the mere process of the weekly rub down |