Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-02

throne Is now in the cathedral. where 1t
may be seen by all corners. The crown.
the sword, the scepter and the Bible are
In the treasury OF the imperial palace at
Vienna, with other regalia OF the holy
Roman empire, inherited by Francis Jo-
seph, Emperor of Austria, who Is the last
Of the Roman kings.
One hundred and sixty-five years later
Emperor Frederick 1. better known as
Barbarossa because of his red hair, per-
suaded Pope Paschal II to canonize Char
lemagne. when the tomb was again
opened, and the skull was taken from
the rest of the skeleton ana set in a large
bust of gold. the breast and shoulders
covered with enamel and heavily studded
with diamonds and other precious stones.
This bust may now be seen in the treas
ure chamber of the cathedral at AK. with
Charlemagne's hunting horn OF oriental
ivory, and sumptuous shrine OF the
four great relics" executed in 100. The
latter contains robe believed to have
been once worn by the blessed Virgin. the
Jesus was wrapped in the manager. the
linen sheet in which the body of Jesus
was wrapped when it was taken
down from the cross. and the sheet in
which the body of John the Baptist was
buried after he was beheaded.
Three or four bones taken out of the
casket at the same time can now be seen
any day for fee in the treasury or the
cathedral. They are beautifully mounted
in glass caskets. There are also several
bones Of saints, including a shin of st.
James (the Spanish Santiago). The four
great relics are not exhibited except once
in seven years, the last occasion being
1909
Sarcophagus of Silver.
Barbarossa ordered q sarcophagus OF
silver made for the dust Of his successor.
1t was designed and executed by Wyhert.
the most celebrated silversmith of the
middle ages. and represents the labor OF
forty years. 1t is shaped like coffin and
is about eight feet long, three feet wide
and five feet high. with lid like roof
Each side of the base is divided into
eight oval panels and in each panel is a
figure of Charlemagne in different atti-
tudes and dress, representing as many
periods of his life. Each side of the cover
is divided into four panels in heavily
chased relief. representing the most i'm.
portant incidents in the career OF the
great emperor.
This sarcophagus. which is as artistic
and costly as anything of its kind in the
world, was completed in 1915, when. IN
the presence of Emperor Frederick Ill,
what was left of the bones and the dust
of Charles the Great was wrapped in rich
brocades and placed within 1t. A docu-
ment giving an account of the event was
placed with them. The sarcophagus was
then sealed and restored to the tomb.
Twenty years later the tomb was again
reopened to receive the body of st Leo
pardius, but the sarcophagus was not us
turbed.
The pavement over the vault was re-
stored as before. and the stone which
covered the entrance was marked 'Carolo
Magno.' Barbarossa had already pre-
scented a golden candlestick with arms
that spread thirteen feet. which was placed
upon the pavement above the name, and
stands there today, just as it has stood
nearly seven hundred years.
Used in Coronations.
The great golden bust of Charles the
Great has always played conspicuous
part at the coronations of his successors
upon the throne of the holy Roman en-
pire. At a certain point in the ceremony
the head of the bust was removed from
the shoulders, so that the skull CONCEALED
within was entirely exposed, and the new
emperors Frustrated themselves reverent-
ly before it and kissed the cold forehead
of their famous predecessor. This cere-
mony was performed for the last time
in 1892 at the coronation of the grand
father of Francis Joseph, the present EN-
peror of Austria.
The tomb and sarcophagus were again
opened in 1881: for what reason is not
known. In 1911 they. were opened again
at the command and in the presence OF
Napoleon l. Goethe says there were found
"Of earthworms many, of treasures
none." and the great Corsican was dis.
appointed. In 1861, at the command OF
the king, the vault was again opened &c
see whether it still contained the shrine
of Charlemasne. Several distinguished
prelates two anatomists from the univer-
sity and a notary, or clerk. were present
The proceedings were conducted by Able
Martin. celebrated Jesuit archeologist
The bones were found wrapped up in the
oriental brocades and were measured by
the medical men to confirm the tradition
of Charlemagne's unusual physical pro-
portions. Taking the thigh bones as their
basis, for the others were gone, they est