Paul. The richest shrine in existence, it has been said, is found
in a great temple on an island near the coast of India, dedicated
to the god Vishnu, who is sometimes called the Indian Apollo.
The jewels consecrated to him are of priceless value, embracing
crowns, breastplates, armlets, necklaces, and other ornaments,
set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, topazes, opals,
and pearls. A single necklace is computed at three hundred
thousand dollars, and a net to cover the god's umbrella is
interwoven with a vast number of colored pearls, — one hundred
and twenty-five thousand, so it is stated. Mediaeval Christians,
in imitation of pagan customs, carried small shrines covered
with jewels in their religious processions, a practice existing in
some countries at the present day. Many of the shrines of
Italy and Spain, and some of France, have escaped destruction,
and are to be seen in many of the museums of curious relics.
The shrine of St. Denis, one of the most celebrated in Europe,
was honored by gifts from distinguished princes and nobles
both native and foreign ; the Dukes of Burgundy and Orleans
presented at different times munificent offerings in precious
stones, thus making it one of the richest, as well as the most
famous, in Christendom. The shrine of the Three Kings of
Cologne,— Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar,— a work of the
eleventh century, was ornamented with engraved gems of
various kinds. The skeletons of these kings were crowned
with diadems of gold and precious stones, with their names
delineated in rubies ; but these have been replaced by gilt,
silver, and pastes.
Probably no shrine of modern Europe has had a wider
celebrity for its votive offerings from all classes of devotees,—
princes, nobles, priests and peasants, than that of Loretto, in
Italy. Among the royal votaries were Queen Henrietta Maria,
-who presented a golden heart set with diamonds, and Christina,
