The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-05-20

E" Millions for defense, but not on
cent for tribute" "First in war, frs
in peace and first in the hearts of hi
fellow-citizens" (not countrymen), ap
peared in the resolutions presented tt
the House of Representatives in De
cember, 1893, prepared by Gen. Henry
| Lee.
DIAMOND CUTTING.
After travelling through Germany,
some time ago, made stop at Am
sterdam, the interesting capital of old
Holland, and had the curiosity to visit
the large Demonstrating establish
ments of that city, which gave employ
ment to no less than 10000 men. The
diamonds cut there amount in aggre-
gate value to f4,0O0O00 annually.
Demonstrating is very simple pro-
cess, and, like many other mechanical
operations, may; of course, be we'll or
bunglingly executed. Holland, how
ever takes the lead in cutting, as Rus
sia excels in setting the diamond.
Accompanied by a guide, I entered
a special Office, where registered my
name, and was then conducted to the
cutting room. Here each workman
had little tin box before him, con-
tanning q collection of what looked
like small crystals pebbles. On one
of the crystals being taken up, it was
carefully examined, and the side which
would make the best front then de-
cided Oh. It was next secured to q
handle by piece of wax about the
size of a large bullet; the wax held it
sufficiently secure, and left exposed
enly that face which was first to be
cut. Then was seen the actual "Dia-
mond cut Diam mond."
The cutting diamond, which the
workman held in his right hand, had
sharp edge (not always of the same
shape), one-eighth of an inch long, and
was set in handle like that of gla.
zier's diamond, only little larger and
stronger. This diamond is generally
of the hardest quality 7. IS really
wonderful, considering the obdurate
nature of the material, how quickly
the rough diamond was cut into shape.
When it had a large or heavy portion
which was to be removed, small
notch was cut at the place where the
fragment was intended to be split off.
Picking up piece of steel about II
inches long, one.eighth of an inch
thick, and one and three-quarters
inches wide, one edge of which was
sharp and hard and had q short bevel,
the workman placed the edge in the
notch, made with the cutting diamond,
aud striking light blow on the back,
the splinter came off.
These splinters are saved and work
ed up into small brilliants or giazier's
points. There is an art in using the
cutting diamond so as not to wear it
ont too fast. The cutting was done
lengthwise with the edge of the cut
ting diamond, commencing at one ex-
tremity of the face to be made on the
rough diamond, cutting off, little by
little, as in planlng cast iron. The
small particles crumbled away from
the diamond were saved and sifted for
the polishing. When one face was
cut the cement was softened, and the
diamond turned around far enough to
present fresh face to be treated as
the previous one, and in this way the
diamond was all prepared for polish
ing.
We were conducted to the polishing
room. The polishing wheels were of
cast iron, about twenty-four inches in
diameter, and ran horizontally; the
polishing being performed upon the
upper side of the wheel. The dia-
mond was now embedded in the lead
and attached to piece of wood, hing
ed at the outer end, in order that the
workman may raise it to see how the
work progresses, and apply the pol
ishing paste mixed with diamond dust.
The polishing wheel had room for
several diamonds undergoing polish
ing at the same time, and one man
could superintend all on wheel.
I was afterwards led to the sample
room, where the beautifully polished
brilliants were exhibited, and also
models of all the largest diamonds in
the world. saw, too, some specl.
mems of pebbles cemented together,
containing diamonds as they are found
in the mines. Most of the diamonds
come from Brazil.
The mines of Golconda, formerly
proverbial for their wealth, are no
longer worked, as they finally did not
produce sufficient to pay expenses.
Other mines have been abandoned for
the same reason. Late accounts of
diamond mines in the Orange River
Settlements, in South Africa, point
out fresh fields for the diamond ad-
venturer. The papers announce that
there is one from this territory on the
way to Europe, valued at f32, 600.
The discovery of these mines was,
as in most other cases, accidentally while
searching fer gold. 1t is said that
diamonds were first found in Brazil
by the natives, when examining the
sands washed down from the noun
tains for grains of gold. Tho glitter
ing crystals were laid aside as curies-
tiles. A disinterested miner, whose
name does not appear on record, ar
rived from Europe, saw their value,
and, instead of quietly buying them
up, instructed the people as to the ma
ture Of their discovery.
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