Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-04-03
WEALTH OF THE ESTERHAZxS.

III Europe, or probably IN the world. HE SPLEEN
did dresses worn by the presen, Prince, at the
coronation OF Queen Victoria and on other show
occasions in London, have been described by the
London papers with iavIshness OF culogiEm such
as can be found elsewhere only IN the Arabian
Nights Entertainments His Highness is repre-.
scented as blaze of diamonds, from cap shoe
tie. The following account of his treasure house
will be read with considerable interest and some
enyy:-N. T. Com. Ado.
"The etea, lion of Forchenstein is Of course
the Schatz Hammers; and ihither accordingly
repaired. attended by the treasure keeper, th,.
icommandant, and four of the grenad!ers duty
the castie.'
"The vaul,ed gallery containing these family
treasures of which the costly diamonds worn by
their highness in England occasions of cere-
nopy form part, is partly hewn ~ q rock. Like
that extraordinary and uncouTed hoard in the
Seral Bournou at ConstantInnp e, known as the
treasure OF The Pre- Adamite Sul!aus, this II Fra
kno is imperatIvely destined 10 be increased by
each successive representative of the race, while
none are permitted to subtract particle from its
value; and thus the mighty mass grows on from
century 10 century, until at length Il 5uries In
inac.ion the ransom Of an empire.
"Above the low arch of the iron plated door of
the Schaz Hammer is inscribed the ingenious cpl
graph, HE de prater IL is, pr9sentibus,
dtque f4turis; and the threshold once passed, the
stranger stands amid such wilderness of wealth
ceiyed.
..The long gallery is lined on either hand by
glass cases, and within these are heaped gold and
silver plates; jeweed vessels of every variety
of form and material; rich stuhs embroidered with
colored gems and pearls; masses of opals, anne
thysts and topaz in the n.atrix weapons, armour,
and horse gear literally blazing with precious
stones; aud in short, every variety Of treasure
which the profusion and ingenuity of man
coec, together. Nor is the intrinsic value of
many of the objects their greatest actual n:trac-
ton, for they Ia numerous instances well au-
thenticaied relics of the great and brave of by
gone years; and to those who love to linger over
the past, there IS ever n more powerful charm IN
such remains than in the most costly articles Of
Uirtu collected together.
.Among the confusion of splendor by which we
were surrounded, we particularly remarked a clock
two hundred years old, formed of beaten silver,
and literally encrustcd with Jewels and intaglu
four large drinking cups of carved ivory, mi
nutely wrought that they appeared to be composed
of lace--an amber cup iankarc, 10th ornamonted
with a procession of Bacchantes, IN exquisite
workman ship; work box of seed pearl and tur
quoise; champagne pail, OF silver gilt, studied
with precious stones, and bearing date l69S;
table and two arm chairs of chased silver, made
in 1867, for the of the Palatlne EsterhaZv
and his wife; an elephants tusk, carved from eud
end with religious procession OF the HIndOUs
in minute workmanship; string Ct rings, prin-
extraordinary size and beatty, and about 100 IN
number; and Il chris,enpgnan;le OF rose colored
silk, trimmed with straw, one of the most curious
and beautiful productions Imaginable.
The collection of jeweled weapons, shields
and war trapplngs was most amazing, and derlv ed
an added interest in most from accom-
panying certificate of Identification. Thus we
handled the ruby -h!ed sword welded by the I'M
fortunate Louis at Mohacs-the pocket-hnife of
the Emperor Sigismund-'he celebrated pearl
bridal vest OF the Paatine Paul Esterlazv, upon
whose ground Of rose colored damask is wrought
pattern of seed pearls, the centre Of every flow
er being formed by long links of the precious heads
which hang loose and are strung SO closely to-
ge Their as almost to conceal the material of the
garment, the ruby-stuced saddecloih of the Vizr
Mustapha, made captive by an Esterhazy
hard fought field; the coral rosary Of Stephen Bi-
shori; the old brocaded vest of Matthias Corvnus.
and that of John Sobiesky also Of rich brocade, a
beautiful specimen of the needle work of the Sc
yenteenth century.
but i, were endless to attempt IN cnumera-
ton of the costly contents Of the Schatz Hammer
of Forchenstin; suffice it that having fingered
among its treasures until both our ewes and our
senses aohod, proceede3.o the armory. where
weapons and accoutrements for cavalry and
one infantry regiment, each 200 strong, al
ways in readiness. Every hing was in adnIra-
bic order and from thence we progressed to the
arsenal, where IN addition TO The ammunition. and
the beautiful brass guns intended for the proiec
ton Of the fortress in time of need, we found the
banners of Sobeskv, Matthias Corvinus, and
Bethes Gabor; glorious drapery of departed
greatness.
..Much curiosity exists in England with regard
to the actual amount Of the revenues of the Prince
Esterhazy. whose very name snffices to excite IN
teresi; and. as far as my information goes, il
may be relied upon; but IL must be remembered
that positive accuracy on 50 intricate subject IS
almost impossible in country like that Of which
| write. Prince Esterhazy possesses. in addition
to his three palaces in Vienna. and his dominIons
10 Bohemia e-thirteenth part OF the whole king
dom of Hungary. He has thrty-sjx estates, each
containing from 10 Ia 24 villages; which, togeth-
er with 100 square English miles OF forest, make
collectively nearly 200 square miles; and Hun
gary covering surface of 1900 proves the po
siton. Nor is this gigantic and overwhelming
landed property his only source of revenue: the