The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-01-22

When people tell you that the supply
OF diamonds down our way is exhausted,
you just take them ono side and whisper
in their ears the solemn fact that they
don't know as mush about our business as
they did last summer.
Cnt diamond fields are situated in the
middle of the Great Desert am going
to tell you something that will surprise
you.
The Leading diamond mine and the
one that furnishes most OF the diamond
wealth, is nothing more nor less than
what do you suppose? crater Of an
extinct volcano.
This mine, since 1870, has given to the
world at least $lOO. 900, 600 worth Of da.
monds, and is still yielding $4,000. 900
worth yearly. Now. l will tell you soms.
thing about the plan Of work in this vol
sanic diamond mine.
| The interior OF tho extinct volcano is
filled with o sort Of sshen substance
which is the hardness Of rock. Within
this the diamonds are imbeddsd. Thou
sands Of crystals exactly similar TO dia-
monds are imbsddsd in the same snug
quarters. The nins Is divided into
hundreds Of claims, and the crater
has now been snptisd to > depth Of 300
feet.
Experts have hored down almost TO end
less depths, however. and report The sup
ply rs practically ioexhsustibls. A. soon
~ this sshen substance 10 loosened, hauled
to the surface Of the earth asd exposed
TO the influence Of sir or water, IL dissolvss
and crumblss Like Sand. and crystals
and precious stones lie IN ths grasp Of
the spsculatsr. To you, the crystals
would appsar Of equsl value with the
diaroads, hut N expert knows . great
deal better than that. He places stone
after stone between Lis lips and the
precious treasure il easily Sc
lected and carefully looked sitter. The
secret OF ths matter is not much Of secrat
when you know that diamond 10 its
crude state is yelvety to the tousb. while
. crystal is hard and unyieIding.
TLe mostb Of the diamond volcano il
surrounded with mining machinery,
mostly Of American manufscturc. The
workmen employed iu this mine are en-.
tirely naked. and their movements are
watched with jealous eye
The law has been exceptionally ssvsie
for the punishment 81 thisving miners
the penalty In most Instances being long
years Of service in the penal colonies -but
this does not deter the poor devils frsn
taking their chances for winning an i'm
mense fortune with single stone. Their
hair is clipped 70 the scalp, they are nos
allowed to wear boards Of any sort, they
arc entirely naked, are examined critically
upon leaving tbs mins. and yet they stssl
millions How will tell yon.
They swallow the sinners. You should
see them gnlp stone down il The face Of
the guards. After recovering thsir plum.
der the thieves dispose Of the stones 10
spsculasing Jews who basg about the
place like csrrion cross. These recsivers
alss run great risk from stringent laws,
but the great profit justinss The peril.
They generally buy : $4,000 stsss for
about $500.
There are slss several misss 10 The ass.
srt beside the orator mines. but they ars
small and conpsrativsly upiapsrtsst.
Oar diamonds al 60 10 England ia the
rough, but the United States buys more
psre disnosd, Of the first water
to-day than any other coustry npon the
earth. That's news Tor you. my boys
news.
The Indies and Turkey are great maflsis
for On color siones. the rabobs setting
them IN sword asd dagger LiIts Oar
gold 6slds north Of the Tssssvaai ere 81.
20 assuming proportions u real CONNER
cisi importarce.