The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-30
cnant, who had advanced money upon 1t. 1t now
sparkles In the imperial sceptre OF Russia.

Ouoht, WIN 6VuuCcu mOucy upOu Az INV
sparkles In the imperial sceptre OF Russia.
THE GREAT PERSIAN DIAMOND.
This Manouk, who is ancestor OF the present
Bessarabia, having got hold OF one of the biggest
precious stones in the world, was frightened out
of his wits lest he should be murdered because OF it,
IT weighed no less than 1903 carats, or one
ounce twelve pennyweights and four grains
troy; that is to say, far more than the Pitt
diamond or the Koh-i-noor at its present size
Manouk knew very well that his life was not safe
for an instant while he was known to have this
awful treasure in his possession, so he gave out
that he was dying and took to flight in the dress
OF beggar In this guse he made the best OF his way
towards the Russian frontier; but, fearful of being
robbed even of such rags as he had, he cut hole
in his leg and buried the diamond in his living
flesh, binding filthy and sordld rags over it. The
Empress Catherine ii. offered for the diamond,
when ne reached Russia 9lO4 l66 lbs. 4d., besides
an annuity OF fl,04l 13s. A., which Manouk
refused. 1t was afterwards sold to GATHERINGS
favorite, Count Orlon, for the first mentioned
sum, without the annuity, and was by him pre-
senred to the Empress on her birthday IN l772
Moreover, although the Armenian, Manouk, did
not get his annuity, he got something better and
made shrewd bargain. He obtained the conces-
sion OF an immense tract Of corn land in Bessa-
rabia. and, now that the rail ways OF Southern
Russia have been opened, mis- descendants are
among the richest wheat producers in the world.
The title OF Prince, alter some dispute, has been
recently conceded to them by the Russian govern.
ment and, indeed, generally is granted sooner or
later by all governments, under one form or other,
TO rich men,
PERSIAN RICHES.
The Persians are generally pretty good judges OF
prpCiOue stones mt hi,rh " lua haU
In country where fortune and liberty are so in
secure every one naturally wishes to possess as
much portable property as possible, and fortune
in jewels may be carried in the compass OF q few
inches and easily secreted in time OF danger.
Therefore there are few jewels worth anything
which get into the market. They areall hidden away
for rainy day, and the Khans plaster themselves
with paste ana other shiny substitutes on State
occasions The largest stones in common use are
emeralds, but they nearly all nawed aud OF poor
color. Rubics, brilliants ana valuable pearls are
very rare. Turkoises the best Of which are found
in Persia, used to be numerous and common; but
most OF the good ones are bought up as soon as
they are found They are much used for talisnans,
the Persians considering them lucky and attaching
much the same value to them as the venetia and
Turks formerly attached to the OPAL They are
consequently so much in request that very lngc-
NOUS limitations OF them are made out of coi0red
wax.
THE BATTLE OF THE DOCTORS.
There has been fierce fight between the French
doctor, ThOlOzan, and the English doctor, Sir
Joseph Dickson, VINO must have made mint of
money during mis- long residence in Persia, and
who Is a very worthy and wel-in1ormed gen.
tleman. II seems however, that N. Belle. the
French Secretary of Legation, now in attend
ance on the Shah, had some difference OF
opinion with Sir Joseph Dickson, and informed
his colleague, Mr.. Ronald Thomson the British
Secretary OF legation that Sir Joseph could not
be received on board the French man oi-war COM
mIssioned to convey the Shah and his suite to the
French coast, because the position assumed by Sir
could not be recognized while that post was held
by DR.. Tholozan. Sir Joseph Dickson protested
with some heat that he had been appointed by the
Shah himself and that his position the Kings
physician had been officially acknowledged by the
British government. He declared therefore, that
he shoald accompany the Shah to France, what
ever opposition might be offered by the French
Minister to his dong SO and that II he were not
received on beard the French man-oi-war ordered
to carry the Shah and his suite he should charter
vessel for his own at the expense OF the
British government. 1t was q very pretty quarrel
and it is certain that Sir Joseph Dickson was not
also equally certain that he was lodged at the
French Foreign Once as one OF the shah's suite.
How he got there is not SO clear.
THE PERsIANs IN PARIS.
The Persian Shah and his suite look funny figures
enough among the brisk matter-of-fact Parisarfs.
To begin with the beginning OF them, they all dye
their hair, except u certain Prince Ikani, OF the
blood royal, whose beard is OF a venerable white
They wear sort OF European dress, very badly
made and with look of shortness, stiffness and
bagglness about it very Persian.
OPINIONS OF THE SHAH.
The private opinion OF the Shah about European
Powers may be thus summed up:-He fears both
England and Russia as possible enemies. He DIS
likes the Germans, who teazed him by their for
malites and annoyed him by their rudeness. He Is
fond OF the French and of France, as he considers
her dislnterested in the Eastern question and at
present quite harmless and undesigning. More
over, lie counts upon France as an ally in time Of
danger. Upon all other subjects his ideas are con-
fused. lie IS merely like u child who has seen q
sight.
CRUELTY AND CUNNING OF THE SHAH
Although His Persian Majesty seems so pleasant
and so pleased just now that the European pape rs
abound with anecdotes OF his suavity and conde-
scenson, he has done some awful things in his
own country. Among them stands foremost the
treacheIOus murder Oh his brother-ln-laW, MeerZa
Tagui Khan, his first Prime Minister. Meerza Tagui
Khan was the friend OF Nassr-ed.Din when his
prospects OF ascending the Persian throne were
very doubtful, and he held only the insecure and
slippery post of Governor of Adcrbjan. His own
abilities would never have made king of him; but
on the death OF Mohammed Saah the Russian
Minister took him up. and Messrs. Rail- &
Co., the rich Greek merchants Of TabreeZ,
found him money, and then the genius
and valor of Meerza Tagui Khan did
the rest So the Shah named him Prime Minister,
and could hardly have made a better choice. The
first thing he did was to organize a Post Onlce-an
institution previously unknown in Persia. The
next thing he did was to create police. Having
done these two good services, he tried to establish
order in collecting the taxes which had been grossly
mismanaged and then he made himself enemies,
as every one will who ventures to attack public
abuses where money is concerned. The tax