The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21
RICHES IN THE TIBER.
An Attempt VIII he Made to Recover
Lost Treasure.

Lost Treasure.
Letter In New York Mail and Express.
Like fairy tale reads the plan of an
Italian savant, who proposes to bring to
light the seven-branch candlestick and
other historic relics thrown in the River
Tiber as votive offerings to the god believed
by the ancient Romans to dwell within its
waters.
Though perhaps less religious than the
quest of the Holy Grail, this officially or
ganized search for the wonderful things
thought to have lain for ages beneath the
sluggish stream flowing through the Eter-
nal City is none the less remarkable. A
brief review of ones Roman history Will
suggest a well-nigh inexhaustibe list of
articles of fabulous worth, sacrificed by a
superstitious people on the eve of battles,
during periods of great perils or of national
rejoicings, and be sufficient TO convince al
most any one that there should be in the
Tiber riches beside which the resources of
King Solomon's mines seem beggarly and
the wealth of Monte Cristo dwindles into
insignificance.
But the item of treasure trove, which
Prof. Giro Nispi-Landi, the explorer, most
hopes to recover. is the seven-branch can
dlestick of pure gold" declared by the
Bible to have been ordered by God from
Moses on Mount Sinai which stood in
the tabernacle of King David, was carried
around the walls of Jericho, venerated by
Caesar and Pompey, and eventually low
cred by the Jews from the bow of Escu-
lapius's ship on Tiberine island.
Will modern. methods combined with
modern enthusiasm restore to the world
this sacred emblem after its having been
lost to sight for nearly 1000 years? If so,
who should have the greatest claim to its
possession? What would the recovery
signify? And what would be paid the dis
coverers? These are questions as novel as
would be the discovery itself. Consider
the mystery attaching to an article known
to be $500 years old. and wrought from
design detailed by the Lord of Hosts.
With its various appurtenances, the
candestick is said to have required in its
construction one talent, or sixty pounds
avoirdupois, and following the divine
order, was of beaten work, not nodded.
A main shaft or reed sprang from a solid
base three feet high, spreading itself into
as many branches as there are planets. in
Guiding the sun. The ornaments on the
shaft and it's branches are described by
in this the Jews, with their peculiar
reverence for that number readily coincide,
albeit the description in Exodus hardly
confirms the statement.
Taken from the HerOdian Temple by the
Russians under the command of Titus, the
candlestick was carried in triumph i'm
mediately before the conqueror. to be later
reproduced by the arch of Titus. erected
in memory of the victory at Jerusalem
This arch Is the oldest one of its kind still
remaining in Rome.
After the triumph the candlestick was
deposited in the Temple of Peace and, ac-
cording to tradition, fell into the Tiber dur
ing the flight of Maxentius from Con-
stantine 312 A d. Never has it been heard
from since, and Professor Nispi-Landi will
be the most disappointed man in the world
If he does not find it with other historic
trophies, buried beneath the silt Of ages.
For years without number men with ar
ingenious turn of mind have sought to
make the Tiber disgorge it's treasures with
only partial success. The list of those
making the attempt includes such names as
Cardinal De Polignac, Brussi, Garibaldi
and the late Prince Alexander Torionia
Without, therefore, claiming originality of
purpose Professor Nispi-Landi. inspector of
forth as the first person to set about the
task with proper mechanical devices.
The enterprise has for its foundation
voluminous records. all of which bear wit
ness to the fact that wherever and when
ever the Tiber has been searched i'm the
course of bridge building of the work of
embankment ancient and valuable things
have come TO light.
Professor Landi's scheme will be financed
by Chevalier William Millar, a wealthy
Anglo-Italian, of Leghorn. and has the Off
cial sanction of King Victor Emmanuel
and his minister of public works.
For the purposes of exploration the
savant has divided the river into zones or
districts. Ii is believed that the candle
stick will be found in the first zone, or that
part of the Tiber near the famous Castle
Angelo. close to the Vatican and ST Peters.
probably the part most familiar TO Ameri-
cans
Just when the work will be begun has not
been definitely decided. but the necessary
preparations are almost completed and
then. should fortune smile, merit as well as
riches will reward the searchers after sub
merged and buried treasures.