The Sun.
London, England, 1836-09-21 00:00:00

BOHEMIA.

PRAGUE, SEPT. 9.—Yesterday morning was appointed
for an exhibition of the productions of Bohemian skill and
industry. Their Majesties and the Court visited it. It
consisted principally of works in iron, glass, porcelain, cloth,
and cotton, all reflecting the highest credit on the state of
the mechanical arts in Bohemia. The cotton manufacture
was especially remarkable. The painted porcelain and the
imitations of Dresden were perfect. Besides these there
were exhibited various specimens of curiously wrought and
inlaid swords and fire-arms, carvings in ivory, clocks, sugar
from beetroot, imitations of liqueurs, &c. Upon the whole,
the evidence thus afforded of the rapid progress of art and
industry in this country must atford the most perfect grati-
fication to the Society far the Encouragement of National
Manufactures, established in Prague in 1828. The efforts
of this Soc!ety, patronized as it is by the Austrian Govern-
ment, are unremitting ; and the assistance afforded to it. by
the, liberality of Count Chotek, the Governor or Grand Bo-
roughgreave of Prague. has materially contributed to its
success. A considerable capltal has been subscribed for the
purpose of assisting meritorious artisans ; prizes arc dis-
tributed every year, and a cheap polytechnic Journal is
published weekly. The stimulus by these means given to
industry has its visible results in the manifestly increasitig
prosperity of Prague.
In the account of the coronation yesterday it should
have been mentioned that the Kin; and Queen of Saxony
were present, in the tribune on the right of the altar.
They arc the only foreign Royal personages in Prague ;
indeed there are but few foreigners altogether ; they do not
appear to extend beyond the Ambassadors, a few Russian
and Prussian Nobles, and about .50 or 00 English, among
whom the only Nobility are the Jersey funily, the Wicklow
family, and Lord Alvardey. The fear of the cholera is
supposed to have deterred many, and it is undoubtedly now
sending away great numbers. Not a few left on Wednes-
day evening, atter the coronation ; and yesterday and to-
day the departures have been very numerous.
THE REGAL INSIGNIA.—A brief description of these
may perhaps not be uninteresting at the present moment.
The lower circlet of the crown is of fine gold, and is in
four divisions, connected by hinges. From these divisions
rise four broad-expanding fleur7de-lis. The first contains
three square rubies in the three leaves, a large pear-
shaped ruby at the bottom, and a pearl at the peak ;
underneath, on the main band or circlet, is a large oval
sapphire, with a round ruby on each side. The sscond,
with the part of the hand beneath it, contains seven sap-
phires and a pearl ; the third, fifteen rubies and a pearl ;
the fourth, seven large and four small saphires, two rubies,
and a pearl. Rising from the hinges between the fleur-de-
lis are four acorn-shaped rubies. Crossing at right angles
from the opposite fleur-de-lis, and of the same height, are
two narrow semicircular bands of gold ; the first studded
with seven rubies, eight emeralds, and four pearls ; the se-
cond with six rubies, ten emeralds, and four pearls. From
the point of contact of these bands rises a gold Maltese
cross, containing within it a smaller cross in enamel, with
the Crucifixion. On the summit of the gold cross is a
sapphire, and from each of the arms projects an acorn-
shaped ruby. The back displays four pearls and four ru-
bies. Thus the total number of " jewels glittering in the
crown" are forty-seven rubies, twenty sapphires, eighteen
emeralds, and sixteen pearls. Its height is eight inches.
It dates from the time of the Emperor Charles IV., for
whom it was originally made, the former crown being melted
for the purpose. The orb is of gold, very elaorately
worked, four inches in diameter and eight high. Encircling
it about the centre is a band, containing four rubies and
four sapphires, between each of which are vine leaves in
enamel, the grapes represented by pearls ; beneath this band
is depicted in relief the Creation of Man, and above scenes
from the history of David—the death of Goliah, the cave of
Adullam &c.; a superb cross rises from the top, containing
a ruby in the centre, four sappires in the four corners, and a
p
ruby beneath the undermost sapphire. On the summit is a
pearl, and one also at the extremity of each arm. Finally,
projecting
transversely from the central ruby, and between
the four sapphires, are four gold stalks, each supporting. a
pearl, repr •
motto " Deus -
enameled vine's
representing an unblown tulip. On the back is the
ceelum regnat et reges terrce." The sceptre
is two feet • length, of fine gold, elaborately worked in
circle the handle;Two rings of twenty-five pearls each en-
sseen
and below ; and a third ring of
twelve pearls
the sceptre is ornamented with
the top. The upper part of
ottd with laurel leaves and vines in
scrolls projecting from main part, and displays two ru-
bies, two emeralds, and two pearls. At the summit is a
jar gesquare ruby. The Sword of St. Wenzel, which is
two and a half feet long, presents nothinc, remarkable, ex-
cepting a fine chlrystal at the top of the''handle. The up-
per part of the glade appears at fitst sight to be curiously
inspection
this
is found to be the work of rust.
pierced through for ornament, but on closer
es
The scabbard is of red
dubbed seve-
velvet and silver. With this sword the King
ral Knights at the Coronation. Its value consists in its
o
next
odhtnh eNneapmo
me it bears, St.
,
ther patron City. He is
said to have been a King of Bohemia in the 9th century, a va-
liant champion of the faith, and to have been treacherously
murdered by his brother. The chapel in the cathedral,
which goes under his name, is worthy of notice above the
rest for the richness of its embellishments. His bones are
still preserved there ; also his helmet, his armour, and his
sword, together with a large iron ring to which he is said
to have clung (though it would be difficult to explain why)
when surprised by his brother. There are various paintings
in the Cathedral, descriptive of his history, and a fine eques-