or
domestic use, during the times of James II., William III., Charles II.,
Queen Anne, (by famous artificers), fetch high prices at the present
day; from three pounds to nine pounds per ounce.
Quite
recently a Silver tankard, with cover,—time of Queen Elizabeth,—was
sold by auction, for two thousand and three hundred pounds, i.e., at
more than one hundred pounds per ounce. This tankard stands over seven
inches high, being beautifully chased ; and having three medallions
round the barrel. likewise an old French patch-box of the seventeenth
century, less than three inches high, was sold at Christie's lately for
two thousand, one hundred and fifty pounds. As a work of art it is
probably peerless; and this enormous price, which works out at more
than seven hundred and sixteen pounds an inch, is amply justified by an
examination of the delicate gold mounting, and the superb rose Diamonds
set into it. The actual box is formed of brown agate, and on the cover
is seated a charming little enamelled figure.
Though
Silver, as a metal, is harder than Gold, and therefore serving more
usefully as coin of the realm, subject to rough usage; yet it has lent
itself in one special instance to the gentler service of popular verse.
Moreover, the said verse, familiar to us all from. our nursery days, is
indeed a delightful little allegory. But this fact is nevertheless
known to but few children, young, or old, who have conned the lines by
heart almost from their cradle.
" Sing a song of sixpence ;
A pocket full of rye ;
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
