The Washington herald., 1908-07-12

The recent theft OF the crown Jewels
from Dublin Castle is all the more re-
markable when one comes to reflect upon
the elaborate precautions that are invari-
ably taken 10 safeguard these costly
gems, says Tit-Bits
In this particular case it will be remem-
bered. an armed sentry was on duty day
and night outside the apartment where
was kept the safe in which they were
stored. Yet they were undoubtedly stol-
en-, though when and by whom is at the
moment of writing a mystery.
In like manner there disappeared once
upon a time the Scottish regalia. now
preserved I'm Edinburgh Castle. These
historic relics consist of a jeweled crown,
part of which. at least. encircled the brow
of Robert Bruce: sword Of state, the
gift OF Pope julius II TO James "; a
scepter and an antique silver rod OF
Office" At the date Of the union these
were safe. Soon after they were missing,
although whether stolen or simply mis-
laid nobody seemed able 20 tell.
Mystery for Centuries.
Nor has the mystery been properly
cleared up to this day. All that is known
for certain is that in the year 1878 they
were restored 70 the light Of day. having
been accidentally found hidden away in
an old oak chest in one OF the cellars Of
the building
There have been three attempts at least
70 steal the state jewels OF England.
which are kept in the Tower OF London.
the most serious by far being that engi-
neered by a certain Col Blood, who actu-
ally succeeded in getting possession for a
time OF the crown and scepter. This he
aid by OverpoWering and binding the
aged keeper with the assistance Of two
confederates. But the old man managed
20 raise an alarm. and help arriving from
an unexpected quarter the three desper-
ados were pursued and uvcrtakcn. al
though not before they had got clear OF
the precincts OF the building with their
precious booty.
II WAS this affair which caused the au-
thOrities 10 adopt the elaborate precau-
tions for effectuaily guarding these price
less treasures which are IN vogue practl-
cally unchanged at the present day. They
consist Of a special military guard Of
picked men. the giving and receiving OF
a countersign which is changed every
twenty-four hours. and the establishment
OK a rigid system Of visiting patrols,
rounds, &c, al night, supplemented by
special watchmen I'm the daytime.
Locked I'm Iron Cage.
Besides all this. the bulk OF the most
valuable Of the Jewels are secured by a
massive iron grating. the keys Of -hicr
are in the possession Of the lord chau-
berlain. out of whose personal Gust o.
they are supposed never to be Curiol 81
enough, this seeming supernuity OF eau
ton very nearly resulted IN the destruc-
ton OF tho entire collection by the gre1t
FIRE which broke out IN the Tower IN Oc-
tober, 1871. The flames had actually in
vaded the jewel house before Mr.. Swifte
the keeper. had succeeded, with the aid
Of a CrOwbar, In forcing an aperture wide
enough % admit Of his handing out the
treasure 10 the firemen and police in wait
ing. by whom they were promptly con-
veyed. under military escort. 70 the gov
ernOr's house.
More successful than Blood was the
clever thief. also said 10 be an ex-army
officer, who in 1879 stole the Dutch regalia.
although this likewise was guarded by
armed sentries and inclosed within a sup
fb~tllA hul <ldA proof steel grille r OF n
long time the audacious robbery was en-
shrouded in the mystery that seems in
separable from this class Of crime. But
eventually. although the identity OF the
robber was never properly established.
the bulk of the gold and gems were re-
covered, some being traced TO Brooklyn
while another portion was found hidden
in a cellar in Brussels
Undoubtedly, however. the most sue
cessful coup Of the kind ever made was
that brought off by the trio OF French
burglars who in 1872 broke into the Garde
Meuble. in Paris under the very noses. so
to speak. Of the officers and men Of the
guard stationed in the courtyard of the
building
Historic Jewels Stolen.
Not only did these clever villains sue
ceed in carrying or the regalia, including.
Of course, the crown and scepter, but they
also made 2 clean sweep or every other
article of value that the strong room con-
tained Among these were the tewel-in-
crusted golden shrine bequeathed by Car
dinal Richelieu 10 Louis XIII: the great
Pitt or Regent" diamond. reputed to
be worth half a million sterling: some 500
other valuable diamonds, rubies, emer-
aids, &c, and number of priceless vases
Of gold. agate, amethyst, and rock crys-
tai.
The excitement occasioned by the rob
berry was intense, not only in Paris. but
throughout France; and, as in the recent
case at Dublin. the widest and most SEN
sational rumOrs were soon afloat regard
ing the Identity Of the thief or thieves.
the names Of high officials and people of
rank and standing in society being freely
banded about from mouth 20 mouth.
Nor was this mystery ever properly clear
ed up, although portion Of the stolen
property was eventnaIly found hldden In