Relics Exhibited Every Seven Years at Aix-la-Chapelle

The treasury of the cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle is rich in relics, which are divided into the Greater and the Lesser. "Les Grandes Reliques," which are exhibited only once in seven years, from the 10th to the 24th of July, were presented to Charlemagne by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and by Haroun-al-Raschid. They are deposited in a rich shrine of silver gilt (the work of the artists of the ninth century), and are,--

First, The robe worn by the Virgin at the Nativity; it is of cotton, five feet long.

Second, The swaddling-clothes of the infant Saviour

Third, The cloth on which the head of John the Baptist was laid.

Fourth, The scarf worn by the Saviour at the crucifixion.

Intermingled with these are many curious antique gems and some Babylonian cylinders, and this is considered by the faithful the richest collection of relics to be seen anywhere.

The Lesser relics are,--the skull of Charlemagne, his arm or leg bone, and his hunting-horn, which are enclosed in a casket of gold and silver; also a locket containing some of the Virgin's hair; a piece of the true cross; the leathern girdle of Christ; the cord with which he was bound; a nail of the cross; the sponge which was filled with vinegar; some of the bones of St. Stephen; some manna from the wilderness; and a piece of Aaron's rod.

It was upon these relics that the emperors of Germany swore at their coronation until 1558, after which the emperors were crowned at Frankfort.