The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-01
WEALTH OF THE EsTERuAzY,s.

Every body knows, we presume, that the Es-
terhazy family is the richest and most ostenta-
rous in Europe, or probably in the world. The
splendid dresses worn by the present Prince at
the coronation of the Queen Victoria and on
other show occasions in London, have been de-
scribed by the London papers with lavishness
OF eulogium such as can be found elsewhere only
in the Arabian Nights Entertainments. His
Highness is represented as one blaze of diamonds,
from cap to shoe-te. The following account of
his treasure house will be read with considerable
interest and some envy.-M Y Com. Adu.
''The great lion of Forchenstein is of course
the Schaiz- Hammer; and thither we according
ly repaired, attended by the treasure keeper, the
commandant, and four of the grenadiers on duty
at the CASTLE"
:" The vaulted gallery containing these family
treasures, of which the costly diamonds worn by
their hghness in England on occasions of cere-
mony form part, is partly hewn in the rock
Like that extraordinary and uncounted board in
the Serai Bournou at Constantnople, known as
the treasure of the Pre-Adamite Sultans, this of
Frakno is imperatvely destined to be increased
BY each successive representative of the race,
while none permitted to subtract particle
from its value and thus the mighty mass grows
on from century to century, until at length it bu-
ries in inaction the ransom of an empire.
'Above the low arch of the iron-pated door
of the Schaz-Kammer is inscribed the ingenious
atque futurdtis; and the Threshold once pass
ed, the stranger stands amid such wilderness
of wealth as he can never assuredy have previ-
ously conceived.
"The long gallery is lined on either hand by
glass cases. and within these are heaped gold
and silver plates; jewelled vessels of every va
riety of form and material; rich stuffs embroi~
dered with colored gems and pearls; masses Of
opas, amethysts, and topaz in the matrix wea-
pons, armour, and horse-gear literally blazing
with precious stones; and in short, every varie-
ty of treasure which the proluslon and inge-
nulty OF man can collect together. Nor is the
intrinsic value of many of the objects their
greatest actual attraction, for they are in hume
rous instances well authenticated relics of the
great and brave Of by-gone years and to those
who love TO linger over the past, there is ever a
more powerful charm in such remains than in
the most costly articles of rirtu ever collected
together.
"Among the confusion of spendor by which
we were surrounded, we particularly remarked
a clock two hundred years old, formed of beaton
silver, and literally encrusted with Jewels and
intaghi; four large drinking cups Of carved ivo-
ny, so mnutely wrought that they appeared to be
composed OF lace; and amber cup tankard both
ornamented with procession of Bacchantes, in
exquisite workmanship; work box of seed
pearl and turquoise; champagne pail, of sill
yer gilt studded with precious stones, and bear
ing date 1898 a table and arm chairs of chased
silver, made in 1867, for the use Of the Palatine
EsterhaZy and his wife; an elephants tusk,
carved from end TO end with religious process
sion of The Hindoos in minute workmanship; a
string of rings, principally rocco, many of them
containing gems OF extraordinary size and beau
ty and about 100 in number; and christening
mantle of rose-coored silk, trimmed with split
straw, one of the most curious and beautiful
productions imaginable.
'sThe collection of jeweed weapons, shields
and war trappngs was most amazing, and deri-
we'd an added interest in most cases from an ac
companying certificate of identification. Thus
we handled the ruby -hted sword welded by the
unfortunate Louis at Mohacs-tbe pocket-knife
OF the Emperor Sigismund-the celebrated pearl
brlda vest OF the Palatine Paul EsterhaZy, upon
whose ground OF rose -colored damask is wrought
pattern OF seed pearls the centre of every
flower being formed by long links OF the preci-
Gus beads, which hang loose, and are strung so
closely together as almost TO conceal the mater-
al OF the garment, the ruby studded saddecloth |
OF the Nizr Mustapha, made captive by an Es- |
terhazy on hard fought field the coral rosary |
Of Stephen Bathori; the gold brocaded vest Of
Matthias Corvinus, and that Of John Sobiesky, /
also Of rich brocade, beautiful specimen of the
needle-work of the seventeenth century
"But il were endless 10 attempt an enumera-
lion of the costly contents OF the Schatz KAN
ner of Forchenstin suffice il that after having
fingered among its treasures until both our eyes |