The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01

VARIOUS BELONGINGS THAT HAVE
COME TO HIM BY INHERITANCE.
Finest Collection of Prints in England
Feather Cloak and Solid
Gold CuspidOr.
London Answers.

Here, in two large hreproof rooms, are
kept services Of plate which cannot be
matched elsewhere for beauty or price.
There is a complete dinner service in gold
for 40 persons, and other articles Of gold
and silver numbering in all LOO, weighing
thirty tons and valued at e1,SOOOO0.
One candelabrum alone, which represents
st. George and the Dragon, contains 2,700
ounces of gold and takes two men to lift.
1t is valued al a12, 900. Another more mod
ern piece Of plate, en- epergne, designed by
the late Prince Consort, represents the
Queens deer hounds standing over a dead
stag, and commentaries Queen Victoria's
first visit TO the Highlands. 1t is almost
equal in weight to the st. George candle
holder and is worth ell, 900. There is not
much in the way of old plate at Windsor,
because Charles melted down all that was
in his possession in his endeavor to subdue
Parliament, but the few antiquities that do
remain are very beautiful.
One is the great tankard known as the
Armada" 1t is made of gold doubloons
looted from the cabin of the Spanish adj
miral Of the Armada, when his huge vessel
yielded to the English. There is also the
Peg tankard, which is of gold, lined inside
with precious stones. 1t was once the Gus
tom to fill it every night with rich, heavy
tokay. and the unfortunate guest was
obliged by stern etiquette to drink his
share Of this unwholesome beverage the
last thing before he retired.
Another curiosity of the gold pantry is a
silver shield. covered with gold snuff boxes
of beautiful design. This trophy is worth
$4,000. Perhaps the most extraordinary of
huge cuspidore of solid gold, weighing ten
pounds, which the King of Siam presented
to Queen Victoria.
There are, of course, china services in
numerable-sOme of old Derby and Worces-
ter, others French and Dresden, others.
again, of almost priceless ware from China.
The value of these is set at 100000, and
the estimate is probably too low. Among
the china is a costly breakfast service
given TO George III on his birthday in 1910
by his daughters. 1t was made to order,
and each piece has on it the initials of the
giVerS-A. z. L. 5. a.
MUSEUM OF TREASURES.
Windsor Castle is a perfect museum of
treasure, new and old. Lately number of
these valuables have been dug out of an old
curiosity shop in the Round Tower and
properly exhibited. A royal cloak from
the Sandwich islands of brilliant yellow
and red feathers is a special treasure. 1t
was left to England by the King and Queen
of the Sandwich islands, who died within
week of one another in June, 1924 The
yellow feathers are from the 600 bird
which is now extinct. The cloak is valued
at 10000
When Lord Robertson Gen. Sir Fred
erick Roberts, as he then was-came back
In 1850, from his successful plunge through
the heart of AfghaniStan, he brought a
present for Queen Victoria, in which the
King takes a great interest 1t is the COR
geous crimson saddle and horse trappings
or Ayoob Khan, the deposed Ameer. The
reins are of plated scarlet silk and all
the trappings heavily crusted with gold
The bit is Of silver. Among other warlike
trophies are the spurs of King Richard III
and wonderful suit of black lacquered
Chinese armOr II has head piece of halt
mask set with gilt teeth.
The brunt of the defense OF the resi-
dency at Lucknow fell upon the Thirty
second Regiment. The King has a me-
mento of those dark days of heroic fight
ing in three pieces of plate from the regi-
a rebel round shot, which plunged through
the side of the chest. An almost equally
sOmber relic is the wedding present given
by Henry VIII to the Inflated Anne Boleyn
1t is quaint little clock of enamel
Among the Indian treasures which have
descended 10 the King are two relics of
that cruel scoundrel Tippoo Sahib, whom
we finally thrashed at Seringapatam, just
over a century ago. These are Tippoo's
tiger and the jeweled bird. The tiger is
life-size, of wood, covered with plates of
pure gold, and has eyes and teeth Of
cleaning rock crystal. The jeweled bird
is the mystic una of Indian heraldry It's
golden feathers are set thick with rubies,
pearls and emeralds. 1t was presented to
George III by the East India Company.
ENVIABLE POSSESSIONS.
In the great corridor at Windsor is one
of the most beautiful caskets imaginable.
1t is of the finest enamel, with sides of
translucent rock crystal. and was brought
to England by Catherine of Braganza. In
it reposes the Bible which General Gordon
used during the sieze Of Khartoum. Cur
iously enough, near it lies the Koran be-
longing to the Mahdi who treacherousIy
compassed the death of the great Governor
of Khartoum.
The art collections and library OF the
King might be envied by any millionaire
or museum in the world. The royal library
at Windsor contains 10000 volumes, among
its treasures being a unique Caxton which
any collector would give 5000 for, and a
Metz Psalter, cheap at 92,5D. The pic
lures include 10000 drawings of the old
masters. nearly 1000 miniatures OF famous
painters and the finest collection of prints
in England.
but he prefers Landseer to any other art
list. The Mare and Foal" by Landseer
which hangs in the dining room at Sand
bingham, is one of his most priced possess
sions. Two other less valuable but very
interesting possessions of his Majesty are
a hoof of the great race horse Eclipse and
a couple of small bronze cannon, known
as Eugene" and Louis Napoleon" The
latter were presents from the late En-
perOr of the French and may be seen in the
salon at Sandringham.
The Kings state coach, designed by Sir
William Chambers for George III in 1862
Is one or the most valuable among the
many treasures which have descended TO
the King. Eight carved palm trees sup
port the roof, which is surmounted by
three boys. representing England Scot
land and Ireland. Carved lions ornament
the corners. Beneath the body are four
huge TritOns.
Until he came to the throne the King had
never even seen the complete regala of
Britain. 1t was brought TO Marlborough
House from the Tower some months ago
for his inspection. The state crown. which
contains 27S3 diamonds 277 pearls, sixteen
sapphires, eleven emeralds and four rubies.
is worth over e1O0 0O0. 1t is, however only
one of several crowns which have de-
scended to his Majesty. The tiara worn by
Queen Victoria, and made about 1860 has
in ii 2.673 diamonds and 523 rose brilliants
There is also the Scotch regalia. which
comprises one of the quaintest crowns in
existence Among other Jewels, il contains
nine carbuncles. four jacinths. four anne
thysts. two white tOpaZes. eleven Scottish
and siXty-one Oriental pearls. 1t weighs
over ffty-six ounces. There is also the
silver-gilt Scottish scepter presented by
Pope Alexander VI to King James " in