The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-04
RICH TREASURES OF SPAIN.
Great store of Valuable Articles In
the Churches and MOnasteries.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
The report that Spain will appropriate
church property for war expenses brings
to mind some interesting facts Less than
two years ago Pope Leo XIII sent to the
Queen Regent of Spain a magnificent gift
in the shape of a rosary, the beads of
alternate rubies, diamonds, and emeralds,
strung on a chain of the finest gold The
gift was priceless.
From this one may form an idea of the
immense amount Of treasure throughout
Spain in "holy objects" Scores of rniters
tncrusted with jewels, capes and robes
embroidered in gold and. silver and orna-
mented with precious stones, used by the
highest ecclesiastical dignitaries only on
grand state occasions; picture frames of
solid gold and silver rockets and abs of
priceless lace, are among some of the
riches of the churches. The old Cathedral
of Burgos is stored with valuable paint
ings and ornaments of gold and silver
At NalladOlid, where Columbus died there
is a fine classical Cathedral rich in I'M
counted treasures. A Spanish shrine is
described as having two life-sized statues
in silver of Our Savior and the holy moth
er, with a crucifx of solid and heavy gold
a yard in hight.
Paintings by Velasquez, Murllo, and
Juan Juarez, called the Raphael of Spain.
are found in many of the cathedrals-that
of Seville being particularly fortunate in
works of Murillo. Toledo, with its grand
Cathedral and richly embellished chapels.
contains a mine of wealth in ornaments
and decora tons.
When the financial problem became A
serious matter In Mexico, recourse was
had by the government 10 the great
treasures of the churches of that country
&c NJ ba
ii has been found necessary to draw upon
such stores and reconcile the Interfering,
claims of church and state.
Napoleon Bonaparte laid his hand on the
ancient patrimony of st. Peter. and the
benignant pontiff, Plus VII. when com
PEELED TO pay part OF 100000. 900 franco
imposed by Napoleon had MANY Of the
golden and silver treasures of the Vatican
melted down to meet the demands of the
Emperor, besides surrendering priceless
gems OF art.
Inestimable as are the riches of the Watt
can, they are not supposed to exceed those
OF the Church Of Spain.
Aithough the peninsula was rich In "bolv
OBJECTS from the date of the discovery Of
America, it was under Philip II tbot ~
vast accumulation now possessed bv inc
catnedrals and shrines was begun. The
hlng succeeded 10 an Inheritance more
vast IMAM mortal man had possessed since
'Charlenagne had been laid in his tomb
Spain, Austria, the Netherlands. the gold
en- Americas, acknowledged him as lord
and sovereign master. In 1854. during pm
Fps reign the rich Manila Islands frst
came under the grasp of Spain, and were
Ienamed the Philippines, in honor Of the
King. 1t was Philip II who fastened inc
vast system of monastlc houses upoo
spain He endowed them richly and made
magnificent yotive offerings.
When Philip con1ded the government of
FLANDERS 20 his half sister. Margaret of
Parma and went back to Spain the coun-
Try OF his birth and prediction he took
with MIN a great amount of treasure
among which was precious collection Of
flemish and Italian statues and pictures
which he had inherited from his ia tber
Charles Y. When the royal feet arrived
on tae coast Of Biscay 1t encountered a
,'.l ny 'oi IL ~, ana several of the ships
were lost. The King was in the greatast
danger In this supreme moment he
MADE vow that II life were SHARED him
ne would consecrate his power to the plor-
ncatlon OF the church and the extirpation
81 heresy. How rIgidly he kept mis- word