THE SANCI. 191
being
valued at one million of francs ($200,000). The first and second on the
list were respectÂively the Regent, valued at twelve millions, and the
Blue, at three millions.
At the coronation of Louis xv. in 1723, the Sanci bore a distinguished part.
The
little King, aged thirteen years and a half, was crowned at Rheims with
all the splenÂdor and tediousness of ceremonial for which the French
court had become renowned. Louis, previous to the imposition of the
Crown, was dressed in a long petticoat garment of silver brocade which
reached to his shoes, also of silver. On his head he wore a
black velvet cap surmounted on one side by a stately plume of white
ostrich feathers crested with black heron's feathers. This nodding
head-dress was confined at the base by an aigrette of diamonds, among
which the Sanci was chief.
At
the coronation of Louis xvi. in 1775, the Sanci had the honor of
surmounting the royal Crown in a fleur-de-lis, which was united to the
