Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-03-07
WEALTH OF PRINCES.
METAL BY THE TON AND GEMS
BY THE eUSHEL.

METAL eY THE TON AND GEMS
BY THE sUSHEL.
The Shahs Treasures-A Sword Scabbard En-.
crusted With Diamonds A GIobs Of Solid
Gold 20 Inches In Diameter-Pearls, Rubies.
Sapphires. EmeraIds and Diamonds Galore
A Ruby Big as . Hens Ess A Tur.
quoise Long IS . Mans Finser-The Gaek-
war Of Baroda. the Gar Of Russia. and Even
the Stinsy Sultan Posses Mighty Treasures.
San Francisco Call.
At time when millions of men are
struggling their hardest for tho doubt
full privilege OF keeping themselves
alive. it seems difficult to realize that
jewels and gold, the value Of which
is counted in hundreds of millions of
pounds, should be lying hidden in
royal treasure houses, untouched and
seen only by privileged and curious
few.
Those who have been privileged to
gaze on the wonders of the Shah's
treasure house tell astonishing stories
OF wealth which is, indeed, beyond the
dreams Of avarice, and which might
we'll form q climax to tho marvels of
the Arabian Nights" tales OF dia.
monds and rubies, emeralds and sap
phires so countless that they might
literally be measured by the peck; of
helmets and armor thickly in
crusted with priceless gems, and sword
scabbards. which it pains the eye to
look upon. so dazzling are the jewels
which sheath them.
One Of these scabbards is completely
covered with diamonds, the smallest OF
which is as large a. . finger nail.
Vessels Of solid gold. 90 large that
only strong man could lift one of
them; crowns blazing with every color
OF the rainbow, chains Of gold and
rare precious stones. emeralds Of
matchless beuty lie scattered about in
careless profusion; trays are heaped to
overflowing with sapphires and pearls.
many OF which are worth tens OF thou.
sands Of pounds.
A glass case, two feet long and half
in width and height, is moro than half
filled with thousands Of pearls. perfect
in shape and luster. BY it, side 10 .
globe of gold, twenty inches in diane.
ter, with seas OF emeralds and conti-
nents Of rubies and diamonds to the
number of $4,000, and each stone
specially chosen for its beauty. The
weight OF this globe is seventy.five
pounds and its value 81 ,00O, 900.
Among the countless treasures OF
the Shah are q fawless uncut ruby
said TO be ~ large ~ hens egg and
OF value which no one has ven-
tured to estimate; . turquoise as long
- mao's finger. and belt foot
wide which is 90 closely set with many.
hued grecious stones that it is one un-
broken blaze Of diamonde. pearls aud
rubies.
OF all the native princes Of India
the Gaekwar Of Baroda is the richest
in gold and jewels, q mere catalogue of
which would Gil some Of the worlds
richest millionaires with despair. One
Of his most interesting, though by no
means most valuable. possessions, is q
carpet, ten feet long and six feet in
width, composed entirely OF ground
work Of exquisite pearls ON which is
traced . design in diamonds. This
carpet, which certainly has no rivals
in the world is said TO be worth $780,.
900; or $4,000 square foot.
OF much greater value than this
carpet Of gems is mstchless collar.
consisting of five rows OF diamonds
and two of emeralds, the stones being
Of graduated sizes Of pea; from this
collar OF 100 Of the most petfect stones
in existence hangs a. pendant the
famous "Star OF the South" diamond,
one Of the most magnificent diamonds
the world has ever seen.
The Gar OF Russia has treasure
house in each Of his many palaces,
any one Of which might we'll satisfy
the ambition Of any monarch in the
variety and value Of its contents.
Two crowns alone are valued at e..
O00. 600; and the jewels in the Winter
palace, which include many Of the
choicest gems in tho world, are valued
1t many millions moro.
The treasures of the Kremlin are
said. on authority, to be worth over
El00. 600 600, and the gold on the
walls Of the palace Of Tsarskoye Selo.
with its walls and ceilings Of amber,
tortoise shell, ivory and mother-of-
pearl, has been valued at nearly
quarter Of . million pounds.
But it 10 doubtful whether the Cars
wonders Of gold and jewels can rival
those Of the Sultan, the accumulation
Of centuries Of bis predecessors. The
Sultan 10 a. careless Of his treasures as
the Shah and the room ir which they
are kept has rather the appearance Of
. lumber room than . treasury Of
countless millions. But no disorder
can conceal the richness and splendor
of gold vessels filled to the brim with
diamonds and sapphires, rubies and
emeralds; Of suits Of armor, crowns,
sword scabbards, chains and rings
blazing with gems; although. a. .
traveller recently declared, Zone can
"a A. r~.~ -se1~ ~r..nrr>uA -