Many of these articles were consecrated, by color or
otherwise, to the use of the _sacred_ household; and to have been
found in possession of them, or with the materials for making them, would
have entailed the penalties of treason. All these stores were now brought
out to open day, and put up to public sale by auction, free license being
first granted to the bidders, whoever they might be, to use, or otherwise
to exercise the fullest rights of property upon all they bought. The
auction lasted for two months. Every man was guaranteed in the peaceable
ownership of his purchases. And afterwards, when the public distress had
passed over, a still further indulgence was extended to the purchasers.
Notice was given--that all who were dissatisfied with their purchases, or
who for other means might wish to recover their cost, would receive back
the purchase-money, upon returning the articles. Dinner-services of gold
and crystal, murrhine vases, and even his wife's wardrobe of silken robes
interwoven with gold, all these, and countless other articles were
accordingly returned, and the full auction prices paid back; or were
_not_ returned, and no displeasure shown to those who publicly displayed
them as their own.
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