The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-06

t9IlllG llllg UGAOAb NAlI lNtAA > - sAtA 49,
bishop oil the church while dining was
entertained by aa Irish harper, who
sang m old Irish song to his harp.
This song detailed the burial in GER
tain place Of gigantic man who was
adorned with golden ornaments. The
old bishop, made curious by the song,
which detailed infinitely where the man
lay, sent two persons in immediate
quest OF the golden prize which the
harper's song had pointed out. and alter
digging for some time they found two
pieces OF gold, circular shaped like those
under consideration. This discovery
encouraged them to seek the next day
for the remainder, but they found moth
ing more.
The harp in the collection, around
which so much interesting history ciui-
tiers, was the property, us stated, OF the
great monarch, Brian Boroimhe. When
he was killed ia battle in lOl4 he lelt
the harp with his son Donagh, but ne,
having murdered his brother and hav-
ing been deposed by his nephew, re-
tired to Rome and carried with him the
crown, harp and other regaIia OF his
father, which he presented 10 the, pope.
The pope gave 1t in turn TO King Henry
VIII, who cave it to ono OF his powerful
barons, where it remained till the eigh-
tenth century. This famous relic IS
now in tho museum OF Trinity College,
in Dublin. .a
When Il bishop died the crozier, the
emblem OF his power, which was borne
before him on solemn religious occa-
- -, J., tnD1h InnFn
arc several liKenesses Of this early par
aphernali0 of the church in the exhibit
ton. Tho crozier OF Cormac Mccarthy
is probably the most valuable. 1t bears
his name as king and bishop OF Munster,
and has the date 1855 The design was
intended 10 represent the ,scales of
reptile, while encircling the upper por-
ton OF tho staff is an ornament re-
sembting an Irish crown. 1t is in Itself
work of art which will challenge com
parison with any Christian monument
OF the same class and age now remain
ingin Europe. Others Of these spiritual
stalls on which the early Christians
leaned for religious support date back
to the fifth and sixth centuries. They
are inlaid with silver and precious
metals, and have jeweled settings.
DIADEMs, BROOCHES AND AMuLETs.
But there is also an array OF costly
jewelry in the collection. Some time
ago Tiffany & Co., OF New York, resur-
rected all the old Greek and Roman
Jewels IN existence which could be To-
Gated aud made fac SMILES OF them
They were highly priced by the ladies
and sold at high prices. Mr.. johnson
has accomplished the same thing with
the early jewelry OF Ireland, and the
results OF his work are presented in the
collection coming 10 the museum.
There are several ancient diadems, all
supposed to have been royal ones ii
tradition and the meagre accounts
which have come down to tho present
time can be believed. They are gor.
geous and magnificent specimens Of
antique gold work. They may have
been the insignia OF royalty or may
have formed portions OF the head
dresses Of Druid priests in pagan times.
They were worn on top OF the head and |
came down over the ears. The grand |
diadem OF the collection is supposed to
be the celebrated collar OF judgment |
worn by famous Judge A. D. IA, and
was thought TO have the miraculous |
power OF closing on tho neck OF the !
Judge ii he pronounced an unrighteous |
sentence, or on that Of witness il he |
swore falsely. 1t is called the "Jodhan |
Morian," and was found buried twelve |
feet deep in bog in the county oil Linn
erick.
Probably of greater value and GER
tainly Of more exquisite Workmanship
than the diadems are the brooches,
The ancient Celts were extremely vain
OF their personal decorations aud
reached high stuge OF art in making
fine iewelry. The clara" brooch is
most famous. 1t is made OF some cur
ious alloy, composed of copper and tin,
but the ornament is overlaid with
beautiful designs, in which there are in
sertions OF Jewels and variegated glass.
A magnifying glass is necessary to APP
preciale the perfect execution. The
gold wire OF which the inlaid designs
and front is made have defied the best
tilngree workers OF the present age
The brooch was picked up by poor
Irish woman in 1850, near the sea. 1t
probably was executed by two cunning
workmen whom the holy st. Patrick
tookto Ireland with him BY the order
of Pope Celestine, A. D. 432. Besides a
largo number OF these brooches are
amulets, charms, earrings, hair orna-
ments, hair pins, cloak pins and beau
tiiully carved cups and stands, which !
tho ancient Celts used to support their
flashlights.
DR.. &. Brown Goode stated the other
day that this valuable exhibit was to be |
placed in the museum us soon as ar
fragments could be completed to ship |
it from Chicago. Mr.. johnson has had |
oilers from woutd-be purchasers, but |
has refused them. An attempt was
made by the authorities OF the South |
Kensington Museum, near London, TO !
secure it for their exhibits and very |
large sum was offered forit. Mr. John
son does not say how long it is his in
tentton to allow the articles to remain |
here. They are very unique, there be- |
ing nothing at all like them in this
country, and undoubtedly the museum
would appreciate the muniticence Of
some American citizen OF Irish birth
who would purchase the collection for
the museum and allow it to remain here
permanently.
-.-c-.---~-
T., TF.AA.,