Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-13
Gales aud Sketfhes.
About Precious stones.

| Just fancy walking over white brocade
CARPET $50 feet long by 80 wide. with a
border worked in precious stones OF vari-
Gus hues, to represent garden with all
kinds of beautiful flowers! Emerald
leaves. buds and blossoms of pearl, ruby.
sapphire. How barbaric were the Persians
of old Their sacred banners embroidered
with silk and gems on leather, their robes
of state glittering with rubies and pearl
I-Fortunately, lest we OF this decade be
enyious, Mr.. Hamlin in his book, Leisure
Hours among the Gems, makes haste TO
saw that many of these historical descrip-
tions are very incorrect, and he leaves us
in doubt as to the exact period when these
wonderful things existed. Could the La
tin race have copied their idea OF hover
carpets on fiesta days from some tradi-
ton like this white brocade gem broldered
one and might not the story OF the sword
suspended by single hair over Dam
ocles' head, have had something to do
with the Persian royal crown, which 1t
appears was not worn By the monarch,
but suspended from the ceiling in the
throne directly over the Kings
head when seated on the throne. The fall
of either would nave been fatal.
This volume is divided into four treats
es, upon the Diamond, the Opal, the En-
erald. the Sapphire and in each OF these
the subject is dealt with in a most inter-
esting manner, showing careful research
among comparatively unknown authorities
and much skill in presenting the result OF
the authors study.
While the diamond was not one of the
earlier gems known to man, and the para
CONS of brilliancy have only been known
to the world from the 10th century, yet
their use as valued ornaments was first
introduced by the fancy of the rich, their
acquisition has been most desired, both
for intrinsic and commercial value. The
early art of polishing the natural faces of
the crystal did not reward the lapidary by
an increase of beauty; hence the setting
of rough diamonds in medieval times,
long after the process of polishing
had been discovered and practiced
by the ancients. Diamonds seem to
abound in Africa, Brazil. India, in Rus
STA, and in several of our American States
only in the island of Ceylon, which wears
grdle of all other gems, is the diamond
lacking. The Russians have great fancy
for this gem "of purest ray serene" The
ulttlOIu utthidtt VI WAL 10 huLOLliCbtC
made worlds wonder. and the shame of
it was branded on the shoulder of the in
famous woman who personated and be-
trayed the French queen in the matter.
The Mountain of light" the Kohl
moor, is said to carry misfortune to its
owner, and the Hindoos. from whom it
was stolen, maintain that ruin goes with
it. They can prove their belief by mel
ancholy instances, as the history Of the
Mogul empire, the reign of Nadir Shar
and others, being evidence. England now
possesses the ominous gem, and yet the
English queen is pleased with the title of
Empress of India!
A description by an American traveller
of the treasury of the Seraglio in 1880, is
curious, both as to the splendors seen col
lected there, and the greed of the Turks
who would not part with their treasure
even to save their country from beggary.
The account of the French regalia, stolen
in 1892, is interesting and not generally
known, while the history of diamond cut
ting. of the famous gems ofthe world, their
changes and loss. would claim the atten-
ton of any reader
Emeralds, rarest of gems, were favor
ties of Spain and came chiefly from Mexi
co and Peru three centuries ago. The
finest is said to belong to the Rus
sian Emperor. Emperors are fortu-
nate in gems Charlemangne had a bit OF
the true cross enclosed in an emerald and
attached to a strong gold chain. He held
it in great regard having received it from
the Empress Irene (was she one of his
nine wives p but when his sepulchre was
rfled of its treasures, this was carried off
and presented in 1881 to Napoleon by the
city of Aix-la- Chapelle The receiver,
who was in this instance perhaps as bad
as the thief, gave it to his sister Hortense,
declaring he had worn it at Austeritz
and Wagram as Charemagne had worn
it III battle in the middle ages, and Hor-
tense valued the brotherly gift according
ly.
Opals are the poems of fancy and love.
The Turks believe that they fall from
heaven in the flash of the lightning. The
different species and varieties are given
and mines OF Hungary and Honduras de-
scribed where most of the opals are
found
Mr. Hamlin reserves for the last "the
azure light of the sapphire store" and
makes mention of several beautiful gems
now existing. Red sapphires are often
called rubies and in the colored illustra-
ton Of the crown OF the Russian Empress
Anna Ivanoona, the ruby placed under the
cross is glorious gem, said to have cost
1870. 600 rOubles.