Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-07-21

DAYS and SATURDAYS, at FIVE DOLLAR.
PR ANSUs, payable in advance.
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THE ROYAL JEWELS OF PERSIA.
Il went" says recent writer, with the
Tu kish Minister, an Italian, aud Russian
lady to see the Shah's jewels, which are GER
taiDiy the greatest sight iu their way that the
world can show. We presented ourselves at
the palace, and were received by lahya Khan,
who took US out of the second and inner great
court of the palace into small quadrangle, not
far from the sacred precincts of the hareu.
We then went up steep staircase to small
room about 20 feet by Il, where jewels to the
value OF $6,0O0,O0O or S. 600, 900 were laid
out on carpets at the far eud of the room
Near the Jewels on chair, sat the MuStauhul
Mamalik, or Pcrslan Chancellor Of the TX
chequer, aud being Saiyid, wore the sacred
color
I'm such show of gems as seemed to re-
alize the wonders of Aladdin's lamp, the eye
was too much dazzied and the memory too con-
fused for description to De possible. But re-
member that at the back of all was the kalau-
ian crpwu. and on either side of it two Persian
lambskn caps, adorned with splendid aigretscs
of diamonds The crown itself was shaped like
flower pot with the small end opened aud
an Uncut ruby, apparently without flaw, as
large as hens egg. In front OF the crown
were dresses covered with diamonds and pearls;
trays with necklaces of pearls, rubles and em-
eralds, aud some huudre is of diamond ruby and
turuuois rings In iront of these, again, were
gauutets and belts covered with rublcs and
damoodS; aud conspicuous among them, the
kaaDlaD belt about foot deep, weighing,
perhaps, about eighteen pounds, and one com
pete mass Of pearls, diamonds, cmraids and
rubies. Still nearer to US stood d drinking bow,
completely studied with euormous jewels, tray
full of foreign orders set in brilllauss, ANA III
front OF all lay duZ n swords, which are worth
a quarter of milliun each. Along with these
were cpaulets covered with diamonds, and
armlets so coutrived that brilliauts rcvolved
and kept up continuous scutllla!lon.
1T was difficult amoug SO many to single out
particular gems. Perhaps, however, the first
place ought to be assigned to the famous
sDarya-i.N Noir,' or Sea of Light, the sister
diamond TO our Punjab trophy, the koh i
Moor, or Mountain Of Light. 1t is an inch
and half long. an inch broad, and three
eighths of an inch thick 1t has The namc Of
Faith Ali Shah on the one side and the in
scritiug this name reduced The value of the
diamond so at least said Rahya Khan. 1t Is
moustrCus diamond, but not very brilliant
The Persians say that the Sea of Light and the
'Mounau of Light were j:wcls 10 the sword
OF Afrusiab, who lived 5000 years, B. c. Rus
tum took them from Afrysiab and they con-
tinued 10 the crown of Persia till they were car
ried away by Tlmour. from whom they des-
cended to Mohammed Shah, King Of Delhi,
and Nadir brought them from India: but when
he was slain Assumed Shah Abdali carried off
the koh-Noor, which descended to Shah
Shuja, and was taken from him by RuUJet
Siugh. The Darya Nor remained IN Persia
with the greater part OF the other gems that
Nadir brought from ludla.
''Among the rings is one iu which is set the
famous Pitt diamond sent by George w. to
Faith Ali Shah. Another very large diamond
is the Tail Hama, or the diadem of the PhCse
pix Il seemed as big as the top of mans
thumb There is also the finest turquoise in
the world, three or four inches long, and with
out flaw, aud smaller one of unique beauty
three quarters of an inch broad. The color
was lovely, and almost as refreshing to the eye
as Persian poets pretend. There arc also mauy
sapphires as large as marbles and rnbles anc
pearls the size of nuts and | am certain that
counted nearly hundred emerads from hal
an inch square to an inch and three quarter
long and an iuch broad. Ia the sword scab
bard, which is covered with diamonds there i
not SlnRle StOue Sud'lei Su6u VIC uati VI
mani s little finger. Lastly, there is an emerald
as large as walnut, covered with the name
of the Kings who had possessed it,
BOsToN's DEBT-Boston has set an exam
pie to other cities with rapidly growing debt
by resolving that permanent Improvement
shall be paid for out of direct taxation aut
not by loans When borrowed money is tc
pay for expensive school, police aud engine
houses both citizcus and officials become ex
,travagapt, and the growing debt OF Boston ha;
admonished her COUNCILS that they were living
too fast" La seven years the gross debt O
the city has increased over GO per cent, tn
annual expenses 42 per Cent. aud the valuation
A per cent Some of these Increases were due
however, to the annexation of towns and vii
lagos adjoining Boston, and some to the tw
great fires, which gave an opportunity t,
have streets 10 the burned districts widened
The present gross debt is $43, l37 463; mean;
on hand for payment Sl5.4l7, ,562; leaving th'
net debt Of the city $27.7l9.SyO, an increase
of S9,SU5,5 ,5ll during the year ending April 80.
expended for widening Streets in the burned
districts. The valuation of property has nearly
doubled since May l, 1867, and the tax levy for
1915 is estimated at $l2,U0O,0QO, agalns
abou, 81, 900, 900 in 1867. The tax rate OF Bos
ton will be about ST. SO 90 the one hundred
dollars, which has only been once exceeded
viz: 10 1865, when the rate was Sl.5S. The
taxes seem to BE- collected with promptness, tol
maius to be collected: and of the taxes uf ISL.
little over one aud ahalf per cent is due.
rEnE0RD WATER,