Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-11-12
A Famous Relic In Pawn.

1t is said that when Porson was in er-
frem's in London he disposed of prize of
books won at Cambridge. which was worth
some ten pounds, for twenty-five shillings,
and that after his death the volumes were
purchased for twenty-five pounds. 1t is.
too, an historically indisputabe fact that a
-dressing-case Of Napoleon Ill. which might
originally have cost FIVE hundred pounds,
was bought not 50 many years ago.
at the establishment Of one of those traders
who typiy their occupation by the promi-
nent display of the ancient arns of Lpm-
hardy, for considerable Hess than half that
sum.
We have not the slightest doubt. adds an
English newspaper, that If a host Of other
articles which are now lying exposed for
sale IN such repositories as that into which
the imperial dressing-cas found its way
could but relate their history. we should
have narrative of vicissitude- not less dram
atlcally startling in their way. For one
such record We have not tar to search A
correspondent drew our attention a fe~
days ago to the fact, that in a shop window
of one Of the most famous receivers and
vendors of hypothecated commodities in the
Strand there is to be seen, displayed side
by side with a wooden knick-knack, reput-
ed once to have belonged to Oliver Crom-
well. the sword presented BY the corpora
tion of the City of London to Sir John
Jarvis. the first Lord St Vincent, shortly
after the ever-glOrious marine victory from
which be took his title. There can be no
doubt about the accuracy Of the statement.
as any one who happens TO be ,tr9ling
from Temple Bar to Charing-cross has bat
to gaze through the plate-glass portals
OF the emporium in question to satisfy him
self
To remind US more wildly of the exploits
OF the man BY the suggestion of his person
alrty, there hangs above the weapon. the
handle of which is an exquisite piece Of
mosaic and blue enamel work, medal
upon which are the features of the first Lord |.
St. Vincent. in bronze relief; and that /
there may be no doubt left in the minds OF
q generation which appears To be strangely I
ignorant of its Owr annals during the last /
century. the sword itself has attached u II /
an inscription telling IA when and where 1t |
was presented TO its first IllustriOus owner. |
Ii Was given TO him, We read. the year after /
he had prevented the junction Of three /
hostile fleets. Tne pedestrian down the /
Strand may well pause to gaze tor moment /
II the trophy-ior trophy 1t i>-displayed /
n Its present equivOcal p IsltiOn. Even the
uely arranged window of an emIn- I
sntly respectable pswnbrOker l. surely not .
lutte the spot which We should select tor
the preservation ani the show Of the relics
]i British hero.
Let u Imagine the circumstances Of the
'sse reversed, and We easily may, By d sim
pie reference to history la the same en-
yagement in which Sir John Jarvis beat the
French of Cape 81. Vincent certain Cap
ain HorstIo Nelson. being then ID command
II the Captain. received the surrender OF
)ne OF the admirals of the hostile fleet,
'ymbOlized by the cessiOn of his sword.
That this souvenir of triumph might he
Kept safely through the vicissItudes of war.
captain Nelson dispatched the aOOve-men-
.ioned sword to the Mayor to his native
own of Norwich, and at Norwich II il still
% be seen. Certainly public opinion would
'e scandailZed If 1t were to he offered 10 any
'asser-by who chose to pay specified sum
ImOng the stOck-ln- trade Of dealer il IN
pledges
Yet this is the fate of the sword presented
)y the city of London to Sir John jaws.
Y no did more than auy one of his contem-
,orsries. on that l4th February, 1877. to-
ward maintaining the naval prestige-nay,
he national power of England itself. The
price asked tor this memento of great
nan. great crisis. and great triumph. Is
hree hsndred and fifteen guIneas What
he precise value-regardlng 1t from the
purely tradesman-llke point of vlew-Of the
Irticle may be We are not prepared TO say.
But three hundred and thirty pounds fifteen
billings appears to US little enough TO res
'Ue so interesting and precious relic from
London mont de Dlefe