The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-10
A CAST OF
Curious History of a Wax Impression
of the Emperor's Face.
Baron de ST. Pol. in McClure,s MARGARINE

~ 49, = vi AN NANSA0AC . AldAdZiUe.
The average historical student knows that
DR.. Arnott, who was representing Sir Hud-
son Lowe at the final scene, and who as
sisted DR.. Henry and DR.. Antommarchi at
the dissection of the body, which took nlacs
early on the following morning, remained in
the room with the dead body of the En-
but what is not generally known is that DR.
Arnott, during two or three hours of the
night, when left absolutely alone, made a
cast, a solid wax cast, of the face of the
Emperor, which he seduously concealed
from everybody, even from Sir Hudson
Lowe. and that the following morning the
other doctors and the faithful friends of the
Emperor, Count Bertrand, Count Montho-
Ion and Marchand (the valet de chambre of
somewhat tempered with, a very hot dis
cussion ensued before the taking of the
plaster cast, DR.. Antommarc accusing the
English surgeon OF treachery. And the ac-
cusation was more than merited, because.
upon his return to Europe, DIR. Arnott hast
ened to Wurtemberg- and offered the wax
cast for sale to the King, father-in-law OF
King Jerome. the younger brother of Napo-
leon; and the work was SO perfect. so beau
tiful, that he had no difficulty In securing
At the end of 1927, I forget the month. !
think 1t was November, the wax cast was
stolen from the palace Of the King, and dis
appeared from public view until April, 1856,
when a Captain Whneberger, a cashiered
officer of the Bavarian army. with a very
don with the wax cast, and exhibited 10
at 44 Oxford street, attracting great crowds
VI pSOpIc. vi COURSE, the FRENCH govern
ment at once had the case investigated,
and the exhibited mask having been found
to be the stolen relic, the captain was ar
rested. For want of proof of his completely
in the theft Winneberger was released,
and, furthermore, a sum of four thousand
pounds ($20,00O was paid to him for the
return of the precious relic, which he had
cleverly managed to conceal one hour be-
fore his arrest.
A little later, for a few years-from Janu-
airy, 1867, to January, 1871 was the custo-
dian of this interesting relic, and I had it
in my own hands many times during the
three years / passed under the roof Of the
TuilerieS. 1t was contained in a rosewoo
box, known amongst uS-the few privileged
persons who had the entire confidence OF
This was lined inside with metal, and was
provided on the top with double glasses,
which were very thick and fitted very tight.
The cover was secured with a safety lock
of ingenious device. The key was in my
keeping.
The cast itself reposed upon a bed OF
white satin bordered with violet velvet
5trewed with the imperial bees, and the
"casket' was under lock and key in a cabl-
net which was located on the left side of
the huge desk of the Emperor, between two
deep windows overlooking the private gar
den of the palace.
The wax cast was burned. I suppose, with
the Palace OF the Tuileries, in 1871, or it
may have been stolen again during the
senselesS and barbarous revelries of the
Commune, by some "Communard," who hid
1t away, and who was perhaps shot himself
when the army of Versailles stormed Paris,
and the secret buried with him under the
turf of the camp of Satory.