The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-05-24
Written to the Wntchman.]
AN INTERESTING RELIC.

Mr. Editor II have recently come
into possession of bronze medal o'
rare beauty as work of art, and Of much
historical value. I send you trans
lation* and description of it, with a few
remarks which may be found not inap-
propriate.
DIVERSE.
Bas Relief Head and bust OF Loui:
XVI.
Inscription. "The Pasiament Of Bur
gundy to Louis XVI, the most ex'
celIent King Of France and Navarro.
REVERSE.
Bas Relief. Allegorical figures as
fellows: In the centre France crowned,
and elevating the Caduceus of Mercury
typical of peace, she sits upon bank
and near her are the COrnucopia,
emblem of plenty, aud shield with the
armorial bearings Of France. At her
feet flows a stream composed OF the
mingled waters of the Saone, the Loire,
the Seine aud the Rhine, which pour
from vases held by River Gods.
Inscription. "The triple uriou Of the
Seas, by the Simultaneous opening of
canals, connecting the Saoue with the
Loire, the Seine aud the Rhine, 1888"
The execution is Of the most perfect
kind. The likeness of Louis XVI is
excellens when compared with coutern-
poraneops portraits. The extreme amia'
bility and goodness, for which he wa:
remarkable, being we'll depicted. The
allegorical figures exhibit talent of .
high order. The anatomy is true tc
nature, the drawing is fue, the figure:
easy and graceful, aud the relief bcauti
fully conceived and executed.
The event celebrated by this media
is evidently the completion of the las
link 10 that chain of great canals, which
united the head waters OF the largesl
rivers Of France. BY this vast system
ofin,ernal communication, it was posi-
bic to start from the Atlantic Ocean, tc
pass up the Loire or the Seine, thenc'
through one ofthese canals, northwards
through the Rhine into the North Sea
or southwards through the Sacne aud
Rhoue iuto the Mediterranean Sea.
The introduction of Rail Roads ha.
somewhat diminished the value Of those
great French canals, upon which i'm
nense sums ofmoney and many year;
orlabour we're expended. But at the
time of which We write, (l7S3), there
we're no Rail Roads in France, her frs,
Railway was built in 1880. Even in
our timc aud 10 this country, tue great
Erie Canal contributes vastly to the
wealth ofan extensive region Of country
aud maintains itself against the power.
ful competition Of the Erie Railway
which runs parallel to it through its
entire length.
The French canals we're constructed
With great engineering skill. They
were both wide aud deep, and in length
rivalled those Of any other country
Some idea may be formed Of their ez-
tent and importance from the following
facts In 1886 there were, in France,
seventy four canals, with total length
Of twenty two hundred and eighty
English miles. Sinee that time large
sums have been donated BY the govern
meut to these works, amounting, iu tho
aggregate, to about two hundred and
fifty millions of Francs, or fifty millions
of Dollars.
We can now understand the feelings
of pride aud happiness which Influenced
:he good King when he Witnessed the
completion Of those vast enterprises
which united the great internal COM
merce of FiaDce BY u net work Of artiG.
ciol riyers.
At that time France vas prosperous,
and, at least, apparently happy.
Respected abroad aud. beloved at
home, the amiable monarch and his
charming Queen, Marie Antoinette,
stood upon the pinnacle Of earthly
greatness.
Alasi bov sooa came the dreadful
Revolution which Vhelmed the nation
iu blood, and slaughtered the sinisss
King aud his angelic wife, together
With thousands of the nobiest and beat
of France. "a: NUMIsMA.
EoTE.
sAs scms Of yosf readers nay desire 10 trans.
lists for themselves, annex the inscriptions, in
Istip, bs they aPpesy IN abe medal;
oyvERsn. : ~
i4enS. sLupoyIco XVI FR. ET EAFAR
,p1yx,f dpyIM0n
Rzsag3ss. "coMITlA BURGDEDIE."
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SECUANAM 1t Ri3ENHM SIMUL