Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-25
THE JEWELS OF FRANCE.

The crown Jewels Of France are to be
sold and the proceeds applied to the relief
of aged workmen. 1t will not be direct
charitable giving, but the fund will be so
used as to furnish light employment to the
veterans Of labor, that they may by some
simple service be made to feel that they
are not absolute pensioners. The regalia
Of France was the most superb of all Eu-
rope. 1t suffered severely from theft, acct
dent and the changes of government. No
one ruler handled it prior to the present
republic in whose hands it did not suffer
some loss. 1t is Just TO add that nearly all
its custodians, however, added something
to the collection. The great Sancy stone
belongs to this regalia, but its identity is
shrouded in mystery, since four or five
Sancys have had their romantic histories,
each being claimed as the genuine. The
Deputies have decided to put the whole lot
of jewels remaining, under the hammer.
They are never again to serve the purposes
of borrowing in France, as security
for luxurious debt. 1t is wise Judgment
that DEGREES the distribution of the vast
wealth locked up in these precious stones.
In its present condition it does no one
good; it sequesters jewels of rare beauty
that will be serving some purpose, even if
only to glitter upon the plating of
coal-oil aristocracy. A republic
has no use for these dazzling
gems, but it has use for the money they
represent. Moreover, to retain them under
watch and ward, is to confess. a fear that
some day perhaps they might be conve-
nient to adorn the court of French king.
Their historical reminders are not all
pleasant in a republic. They typify dead
and gone governmental system; they are
mementoes of narrower political civili-
cation than the world of to-day would toll
crate. 1t was well, therefore, to decree
their disposal. Some few of the stones
having especial historic value will be pre-
served from sale as curiosities. But the
mass of the collection will be disposed OF,
and one may reasonably anticipate strug-
gle to obtain possession of the several
pieces. For it viii be something worthy
the contention of wealth to secure articles
of the regatta, about which cluster some of
the most romantic passages of the history
of the old world. To those able to possess
such curiosities, the touch of such as Marie
Antoinette, the Napoleons, Mary de Medi-
CT, the Henries and Louises Richelieu,
Charles, Necker. Maurepas, will give to
these precious stones the sanctity of tragic
interest at least, and make them more curl
Gus in private possession than they ever
were when under the control of kings and
queens, and emperors and ministers. 1t
will be something worth lavish outpour-
ing OF mony to hold as ones own the great
diamond B9naparte placed in the hilt Of
the Sword Of state" and to lay claim, if il
is of the rsgalia still, to the famous dia-
mond necklace. While it is supposed that
potentates in Europe will exert themselves
to the utmost to secure the more choice
articles, it II not improbable that portion
OF them wil%fall into hands that can boast
neither blue blood nor the favor that trans
forms plebian into noble.