New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-07-13
OF Ages IS
in CONSTANTINOPLE
Fabulous Collection Of Jewels and
Gold in Sultan's Treasure


the stamping ground Of an army Of
aliens, one Of the show places of the
world will become one of the most un-
lovely spots in the globe. CONSTANT
nople, combination of filth unsurpass-
able, squalor that defies description
and magnificent beauty surrounded
with the glan1or and glitter of the
Orient, will become an orderly mill
tary camp with picturesque filth OBJ
liberated and stately mosque defile.l
by the presense of too many European
faces The streets will no longer be
the lodging houses of mum erous furry
yellow purps, will no longer be the
settings for the befezzed and quaint
" costumed Turk but will be cleaned
till the SAVIOR Of the sanitary west
will remove the oriental spirit far
from the sight Of man. It is probable
that the conquerors will, in short SO
change the city that naught but its
skyline will remind the traveller of the
Constantinople OF old.
The Mosque of Saint Sofia, once
Catholic church and still one of the
most wonderful church edifices, may
revert to Christian owners from the
Mohammedans who have held it for
years. There is still apparent on the
walls the spots from which statues
OF the Virgin Mary and different
saints were removed when the Mo-
hammedans gained possession In
stead Of these symbols the black stone
that faces Mecca and the seven shields
OF the Mohammedan are placed about
the walls. The floors are covered
with Turkish prayer rugs Of inestim.
able value and the mosaic work Of
the walls and roofs contains tons Of
gold and silver. Prophyr pillars from
Greek and Roman temples form part
OF the mosque. Oriental architecture
vies with part of many famous build
ings OF the past to make the mosque
one of the most impressive known
II is safe to say. that the hand of the
invading soldier WILL for the time be-
lns at least, refrain from laying waste
this edifice or destroying it's contents
Mammoth Fortune For The Taking.
The treasure Of the Ottoman en-
pire, invaluable and unvalued. is liza
BILE to meet with the greatest disaster
L
countless years the rulers of Turkey |
have been piling up in the treasury
jewels and fine workmanship in pre- |
cious metals. The helmets and robes |
of ancient kings repose, dustcovered,
In receptacles which have contained |
them since their owners were laid at
rest. A finer, more glorious and more /
collection of treasures does
not exist even in the Imagination Of |
the most persistent seeker after the
lost hordes of Captain Kidd. .Dia- /
rnonds of enormous size lie neglected |
with pearls and rubies on their TANKS |
It is doubtful whether any jewel
which has been laid in the treasury
has even been busted since it was
placed therein. Immediately upon |
Its disposal It was forgotten. Few but |
the guards. and an occasional tourist /
have seen the valua bles In the col
lection and It would be impossible to
estimate their value. Even an idea |
OF 1t Is disbarred by the neglect to
which the savings have been sub
jected.
Covered with layer of dust and |
appearing like some tinsel decoration
In customers shop which has not
been noticed at all is the head piece
Of some ancient leader of men. A /
circle of pure gold a quarter of an
inch thick and three inches wide re-
tains In its furnished midst shreds OF |
velvet which once draped a conquer I
or's head. Engraving Of wonderful
description is studded with diamonds
and rubies. In the center a ruby Of /
size does It's best to shine
from under the dust Of years and two 7
a{rx~ txr
Icy whiteness from each side.
Gem Studded Chair Neglected.
A chair. as large ais the family rock
err, stands in one corner in the detect
ed attitude of discard. Scraping
away the dirt it will be found to be
literally crusted with precious stones
II all varities, mainly diamonds and I
-ubies. The back is worked in dia-
monds with border of pearls and
designs are shaped thereon in different
coIored gems. So it is with the arms
Ind even the legs. True, the throne
night have been rather hard sitting I
but it must have been great relief
Tor the owner to consider the cause
Of his discomfort.
Other keepsakes too numerous to
mention are ON all sides. The treas
nre is beyond valuation. Whether
he goods have been moved from the
building which they occupied at the
outbreak Of the war is unknown.
Possibly they have, but the impression
that must remain with anyone who
has seen them is that they are regard
ed more in the light of lot of worn
put toys than assets that 1t Is pos
'ible to turn into cash. If this IS
he case the looter in Constantinople
he ever reaches there will not lack
,or opportunity to improve his time.
diamond that would furnish a for
une may be picked from almost any