New-York tribune., 1907-08-14
LORD PEmBRoKEs TREASURE TRovE.

LORD PEIBROKEs TREASURE TROVE.
Lord Pembroke is just at present engaged in a
curious confict with the Treasury, which relates
10 one OF the most interesting prcrogatves of the
British CroVn-a prerogative interesting because
Il is Of the few survivals Of those medieval
tines when monarchs owned, theoretically. not
Only the property. but the very lives Of their
subjects. Last July iaborer in digging on some
r-opeTtv belonging to Lord Pembroke in Wiltshire,
near Salisbury. unearthed a small vessel contain
ing several hundred Roman silver coins and rings.
II splendid condition. representing twelve reigns.
extending over the period of 357 A D. TO COS A d.
Tbs ,sborer. in duty bound. turned over the
entire hoard 20 Lord Pembroke. who suitably re-
warded the man. and then, in accordance with the
requirements Of mediaral laws still in existence
On the subject Of treasure trove sent the whole
collection 10 the Treasury. This department. as
Is customary. submitted the collection TO the Brit
ish Museum authorities. who retained all the rings
and thirty-sx of the rarest Of the coins for that
world famed national institution.
Subsequently, Lord Pembroke wrote TO the Treas
NY requesting that the remainder Of the coins
should be returned to him. with the object Of en-
a5lng him 20 divide them between the municipal
sad county museum OF Salisbury and his own col
lection of art and archaeological treasures in VIII
ton House The Treasury. however, replied that
the coins could not returned. but that he would
re 'perTnitted'' purchase them from the Treas
1-y at cost Of several hundreds Of pounds ster-
thereupon the Treasury caused the coins 10 be
na5e UP into lots and be sold by auction, turn
Ing the money into the national exchequer.
i is arbitrary action such this on the part OF
the treasury that renders people IN Great Britain
ana ireland relatively Indifferent 70 the posi-
ollty Of treasure being concealed in their ancient
castles and manor houses their land and so
reluctant 70 spend any money in exploring for its
recovery, for they realize that IL their efforts are
crowned with success they Will derive advantage
therefron. since whatever IS found will belong
theoretically TO the soveTeign-in reality to the
national treasury. Hidden property after a GER
tain lapse Of time becomes treasure trove. The
rights Of ownership OF the person 20 whom the OBJ
Jecs belonged and the rights of his legal heirs be
come eKtinguished and treasure trove become
vested in the Crown. In olden times-and, In fact
until well on into the nineteenth century-people
were led by the troublous conditions OF the age the
insecurity Of property, life and Of banking insttu-
uons- e bury and otherwise conceal their money,
lAeir most precious Jewels their plate and their
other yallables. Often they died or were killed
without having tine TO reveal the hiding place TO
their heirs. Occasionally generations elapsed be-
tone The valuables thus concealed could be found
again by the heirs, and by that time they had be-
Come treasure trove the property Of the state. and
conosaneEt Of its recovery and failure 10 turn IL
over in its entirety treasury constitutes an
offence punishable by heavy fine and severe i'm
frisonment a fraud at the expense OF the
Crown