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.
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