South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-03-17


hind him sits Triton sounding a
conch. Below this in another case
is pike (fsh) carved out OF a very
large piece Of ivory. 1t ia Sid to
DO in one piece, and the carving Of
the scales is finely executed. Tho
third room contained enamels, mo-
sales, ambers, ostrich eggs, corals,
shells, articles made of mother of
pearl, all of which were very beau
tiful. After lingering there awhile
we passed into the silver chamber.
The Green Vault is named from
the color in which this room ia
painted. 1t contains choice col
lection Of vessels Of pure gold, sill
yer, fligree, ruby, glass and clocks
OF the 18th century. There is also
a baptismal basin OF silver gilt in
which the young Prince was baptiz-
ed with water from the river Jor-
don. 1t was made in the course Of
the years 1918 and 1915. In the
center is a representation Of the
Holy Trinity surrounded by Bible
scenes. 1t continues to be used at
the christenings Of the members Of
the Royal family, having been in
use for hundreds of years. We
came next to the Salon of precious
stones. This room is decorated in
white and gold, and contains a col
lection OF cameos, gems and a
variety OF vessels OF rock crystal.
There is a cameo said to be the
largest in the world-also a clock
called the Tower Of Babel from the
shape OF the case. 1t was made IN
l6O2. Every minute a crystal ball
comes out of hole at the top run
ming around the building to the
opening in the basement, when it
drops into lower regions, is lifted
up to the top by some invisible
means and starts off again. 1t
takes one minute to make its down.
ward trip while the time is marked
by saturn striking a bell with a
sledge hammer. All the figures re-
presenting planets in the upper
floors and musicians in the lower
fiat wero once movable, and con-
neoted with set OF chimes in the
interior, but today only the ball
and sledge hammer were in motion.
The case Of the clock is made of
bronze and adorned with silver por
traits of Roman Emperors. The
next wonder which enlisted our at
tention and curiosity was q "Crys.
tai Ball" the largest and most
transparent specimen ever known.
1t weighs fifteen pounds and is
said to have been used for prophe-
cying purposes.
There were also work boxes, jewel
boxes, and cabinets beautifully
carYed and inlaid with brilliant
gems--a small room connected with
the larger one just desert bed is
called the corner closet. containing
figures and clocks set with precious
stones. In this room is kept the
celebrated ''gOld Ogg." Unless it
was pointed out to you, it would be
passed by unnoticed. In size and
shape like an ordinary egg, it's or
iginal use was q scent box. When
opened at the bottom a place for
perfumes Is disclosed. When OPEN
ed from the top you see an enamel.
ed gold yolk in the interior OF
which is chicken Of the same ma
terisl; this is opened and in it il
Iound seal In the shape Of the
Polish Grown richly adorned with
small diamonds, pearls and a car
nelian on which a ship in storm
and the following words arc en-
graged Constant malgre' Forage" !
in spite Of shipwreck. 4"
When this crown is opened, there
is seen an exquisite diamond ring.
l have only told Of the things which
we're pointed out to Us as marvel
ous-we saw more than we can ever
remember. must mention one
more wonder in the ivory rooms.
1t is carved from single piece Of
worry, and represents the ''Fall OF
The angels" There are I42 figures
IN this piece said TO have been the
work OF a Neapolitan monk. It
'ame from Naples gift OF Queen
Marie Amalia, daughter Of Angus
us Ord King Of Poland. Il is sur
.ounded by garland Of chased sill
'er. We pass into the seventh
Dom the EXcutcheon Cabinet. on
ho rvoTf. o~n...I IL