The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-06-30

After the visitor to the main exhibit
ton building has looked in vain in the
American departments for anything very
striking in the way of artistic work let
| him 60 to the Observation-Disclosures sec
! ton and look at the beautiful display of
1 oPals from the government mines in
| Hungary-the only mines in the werld,
by the way, where really fine opals are
found. The collection of these singular
jewels in the Hungarian section isunique
and one of the most notable exhibits in
the building. Several cases are filled
with specimens of these precious stones
no two of which are alike, in all condi
items, from the stone in the rough to two
exquisite cameo likencssesof the emperor
and empress OF Austria These latter
specimens are really triumphs of art
work, as it was formerly deemed impossi-
BILE to engraye successfully upon as soft
stone as the opal. The likeness of the
emperor is cut upon a fine opal, set in
bracelet and surrounded with emeraIds
rubies, and brilliants, representing the
national cOlors of Hungary. The en-
press face is engraved upon a similar |
jewel, set in a locket In both heads the /
lines are as clearly cut as in the finest |
canoes. They were accomplished after |
greatest care and patience by one of the
best artists in Austria, who occupied
over two years in his task l can well
believe what l was told by the officials,
that these two engraved opals are the
finest specimens of their kind in the
world. The largest opal known is con-
tanned in another case. 1t weighs six
and two carats and is the Koh1-noor of
cpals, but, like the KOh-i-nOor, there are
smaller gems that have as much fire.
There Is also a gorgeous collection of
rough opals, unequalled in any museum,
In which the curious may trace the for
nation of these wonderful products of
nature from their beginning, up through I
their growth in crystal form until the {
time when decay begins, period of time
myriads of years. There are
many other gems in this collection worth
calling attention to; but one must see
This exhibit to appreciate it. 1t is be-
coming known as one of the most inter i
ssting in the department.
WHENCE THE oPALs COME.
The mines from which these Jewels {
come are in the Carpathian mountains,
n the most picturesque part of Hungary,
region now three thousand five hundred c
eet above water level, but whose forma- I
ion shows it to have been thrown up
rom far below the sea. The opal mines 4
re from six to eight miles in extent, and ;
bout one thousand feet deep at their Il
.reatest depth. They are owned by the P
overnment and have been worked for C
we hundred years. Their greatest yield G
as been within the last thirty years IL
r since they have been under the direc-
ion of the family of Libanka, Ludwig h
litter Goldschmidt Won Libanka being a,
present in charge of them h,
The opal is a water product, but in te
hat manner and by what subtle alchemy d,
5 beautiful colors are developed is Dc
ystery that is one of natures secrets. f,
II that scientists can tell US is that the If
alter in which the opals form runs N
trough rocks holding gold, silver, nickel, mr.
lphur, iron, antimony. cinnabar and an
her minerals. The getting out of the 80
'als is performed by four hundred men, ha
boring alternately day and night under err
e superintendent of Mr.. Libanka. F,
Ike many other luxurious and beauti- ca
trinkets enjoyed by the rich, the abb
carer little knows the patient labor, an
e perils, the time and the refined skill fes