New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-10
THE GREAT DIAMOND IN THE IMPERIAL
SCEPTER OF RUSSIA.

In the first volume of the quarto edition Of r. ;.
"Palass Travels through the Southern Provinces OF
the Russian Empire in the years 1923 and 1874,
which was taken from wreck on the coast Of Cape
Cod. we find very full and interesting account Of
"The Moon Of the Mountain celebrated da-
mond of Russian Royalty.
PaIas was Counselor of State to the Car Alexander,
and during his stay at As;rOkan became acquainted
with the heirs Of Grigor SaMrov Shafrass, the Ar
menian who sold the precious gem to Russia.
Shah Nsdir had in his throue, with this diamond,
another of equal spendor called the Sun of the Sea-
At the time of his assassination the soldiers scared
and secretly sold many of the richest ornaments be-
longing to the Persian Crown.
ShGfrass. also named Nillonshik or the Man Of
Millions. resided at Bsssora. One day an Arganian
Chief visited him, and secretly proposed to cell the
diamond with other precious stones. lie was sur
prised at the low price demanded, and affirming that
he had rot money enough to buy the jewels asked
time TO consult two brothers who were in basinees
with him. The suspicious Chief did not appear again
The Armenian, with the approval of his brothers,
went in pursuit of the vender. He wandered in vain
in search Of the treasure. Shafrass at length acc
dentally met the Arganan in Bagdad, and bought ell
the Jewels in bis possession for so 900 pastres
Tie gem of the first water, with large ensmeled
and ruby. was laid away in brilliant seclusioa for
twelve years. Then the Armenian, whose fears OF
losing the ROYAL plumber were overcome by the love Oh
money set off with the jewels for q market. Passing
through ham and Consantnope he directed his course
across Hungary and Silesia to Amsterdam, where he
made the FIRST public display of the beautiful sones
and offered them for sale II is sad that the English
Government was among the bidders. Russia sent for
the Moon of the Mountain" promising to pay the
expenses of transmitting it il not purchased. Tho
Russian Minister, Count Pann, through N. Laseref,
court ieweer made the following offer: Shafrass was
TO have the patent of hereditary nobility an annual
pension of 5000 rubles e., a., 500 during life, and
500 900 RULES or $3.50 in cash. The Armenian,
feeling that blessings brighten as they take their
flight" became SO extravagant in his demands, that
the negotiation was broken of and the diamond
returned
Shairass was now in trouble. His outlay had been
great. and he had borrowed large amounts. lie abb
seconded, and went back TO Astrakan Afterward,
Count Grigorcrtsh Orof renewed the Russian offer TO
purchase and Shafrass accepted $4,000 rubes, or
S337, 800 ready money, together with the grant OF
Russian nobility. About one quarter of the sum WA
paid to the negotiators and the rest, which ct the
death of the Armenian the dover of his daughters,
was squandered by the extravaganza OF their husbands
The diamond was secure and shines on, though Royal
eyes which behed its light with pride of power have
lost their fire forever.
Such is the story of the Moon Of the Mountain-the
| ornament of scepter which is shaken now In It's
sweep over the domain Of the Sultan. Who shall tell
its history in the future