[Illustration: FIG 1.--THE CROWN DIAMONDS OF FRANCE AT THE EXHIBITION
OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS.]
According to a recent law of Parliament, a large part of the crown jewels
of France is destined to be sold. The exhibit that has been made of these
riches for the last two months at the National Exhibition of the
Industrial Arts, in the State Hall of the Louvre, has excited a lively
interest among the visitors. Here are to be seen, heaped up in a large
octagonal show-case, incomparable treasures, whose value exceeds quite a
number of millions. According to the inventory of 1818, the 52,000
precious stones of the crown of France were estimated as worth more than
20 million francs ($4,000,000); but since that epoch the stones have
increased in number, and money has singularly diminished in value, so that
the total at present would be much less.
[Illustration: FIG. 2.--THE REGENT. (Actual Size.)]
In order to publicly exhibit so valuable treasures it was necessary to
take precautions against thieves and fire, and this was done in a very
sure and ingenious manner. The collection of crown jewels is distributed
over the eight faces of an octagonal truncated cone, which is supported by
a framework about three feet in height at the lower part. The stand is
exhibited every day, at ten o'clock in the morning and six in the evening,
under an elegant octagonal show-case surmounted by a high bronze statue of
Fortune by Barbedienne. The whole is covered with a canopy, as shown in
Fig. 1.
A force of guardians of the Treasury is detailed to watch over the crown
jewels, and it is to them that is confided the care of operating in the
morning and evening the safety mechanism that we shall describe. The
object of this mechanism is to lower into and lift out of the strong-box
the entire stand with all its jewels.
A winch, shown at A to the right of the engraving, sets in motion a system
of gear wheels keyed at an angle, at B and C, upon intermediate shafts
that transmit motion to the four vertical threaded rods of the frame, D.
All these shaftings are 1½ inch in diameter, and the cog-wheels, twenty in
number, are about 5 inches in diameter.
The well is formed of an octagonal wall of fire-brick, and is 20 inches
thick and 6 feet high. In the center of this masonry is embedded very
thick iron plate. The bottom of the well is isolated from the flooring of
the Exhibition hall by a thickness of boiler plate, by a filling of tire
bricks, and finally by a second thickness of boiler plate. The well is
closed by means of a large plate of iron 6 inches thick, 10 feet in
length, and 88 feet in width. The winch which maneuvers this mass is
placed at E. It actuates a system of bevel wheels, keyed at F, which
transmit motion to two horizontal screws (hidden under the stage) that
actuate the plate, H. This latter is provided with two parallel series of
five rollers each that revolve over long and strong pieces of wood covered
with rails. Electric alarms are located near the winches.
A fire-engine station is located at within twelve or fifteen feet of the
exhibition building.
A committee composed of competent jewelers and mineralogists has been
appointed to make an appraisement of the diamonds and to indicate such as
should be withheld from sale on account of their scientific, artistic, or
historic interest. The members of the committee propose to preserve the
following objects:
1. The "Regent" (Fig. 2), by reason of its mineralogical value, the
perfection of its cutting, the purity of its water, its incomparable
luster, and its great size, it being the largest brilliant as yet known.
2. The military sword of Charles the Tenth's coronation, the hilt of which
is entirely of brilliants mounted by Bapst with wonderful art.