The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-29
rRaoIous STONES.
Properties Ascribsd to Various Gems
in Ancient Days.

PRECIOUS STONES.
Properties Ascribed TO Various Gems
in Ancient Days.
From Chambers Journal.
It is not merely ON account OF their
beauty and great rarity that precious
stones have from remote ages been held in
the highest favor, although, no doubt, these
alone are the reasons that have weight with
US at the present day. Imitation gems are
almost as pleasing to many people as the
genuine ones; and when they are worn
simply for personal adornment their COM
parative cheapness is certainly an advanS
tage to those Of slender means. Moreover.
precious stones are often so cleverly inli-
tated that 1t is very difficult for any one
but an expert to distinguish q spurious gem
from q real one
There was a time. however, when these
stones were often priced aud worn for
other reasons than their beauty; and there-
fore even the most perfect limitations
would in such cases have been regarded as
valueless. OF course it must not be inferred
that our ancestors always wore valuable
gems, for, even in those days tho poorer
classes had to content themselves with
cheap ornaments when they INDUCED in
iDery. But precious stones were formerly
supposed to possess peculiar virtues, which,
apart from any other considerations. rem
dered them more or less valuable. The re-
puted virtues OF some wers of a most
miraculous nature. and happy indeed the
fortunate possessers of these gems ought TO
have been.
TIE DIAMOND.
Although popularity supposed to be itself
a deadly poison. the diamond has from re-
mote ages been credited with the power of
protecting the wearer from the evil effects
OF other poisons, reputation which IL re.
tanned until comparatively recent times.
According TO Pliny, it also keeps Off in
sanity. Amber, too, was supposed to pos
sess The latter virtue. Besides the dia-
mond, several other stones were supposed
to possess medicinal virtues The ruby was
considered good for arrangements OF the
liver as well as for bad eyes. The sapphire
aud emerald were also credited with prop
critics which rendered them capable OF In
huencing ophthalmic disorders, and there is
a superstitious belief that serpents are
blinded by looking at the latter stone.
The turquois, although not credited with
either remedial or protective properties SO
far as disease was concerned, was never
theless regarded as kind Of sympathetic
indicator, the intensity Of its color being
supposed to huctuate with the health Of the
wearer. The latter, moreover, by virtue Of
the stone which he carried, could, 1t was
said, fall from any hight with impunity.
The Marquis OF Villena's fool, however :,
was somewhat nearer the truth when be
reversed the popular superstition in his
assertion that the wearer Of turquois might
fall from the top Of high tower and be
dashed to pieces without breaking the stone.
The opal was looked upon as q thunder
stone, and although many women now APP
pear to have strong superstitious prejudice
against wearing one, 1t was In bygone days
held in the highest estimation, for 1t was
supposed TO combine the virtues OF several
other gems. On the other hand, the ONYX
so named on account Of its resemblance to
the color Of the finger-nails- scarcely
have been nice stone to wear, for, accord
ing to the medieval superstition, IL rendered
one particularly susceptible to annoyance
from Nightmares and demons
Temperance advocates, if they have any
regard for the beliefs of the Greeks and
Romans. might seriously consider the adj
visibility of distributing amethysts among
drunkards, for it was supposed that these
stones prevented intoxication. Coral was
made use Of by the Romans as a protection
al ainst the evil eye, and popular super.
stition has credited the topaz with the
power OF depriying boiling water Of its
heat.
IN HIS BRAIN-Box.
Perhaps the most wonderful pronarties
however. were ascribed to the chimericai
stones which many creatures were supposed
TO carry in their heads. Most of our readers
have no doubt heard of the precious level
which the toad carries in his brainbox: aud
so-called toad-stones, which ia reality the
teeth of fossil FISH were formerly worn in
finger-rings as protection against poisons,
at the presence OF which they were supposed
to change color. 1t was thought that the
best stones were those voluntarily elected by
the living toads; but as the latter were not
addicted TO freely giving up their
treasures in that way it was necessary to
procure the coveted articles by other
means, and the recognized method was to
decapitate the hapless batrachian at the
instant be swallowed bis breath. The feat
naturally demanded considerable celebrity.
such as could only have been acquired By
constant practice, and il is not unreason-
able, therefore, TO assume that although the
endeavors TO gain possession of the Jewel
were perhaps numerous. they must in
variably have been unsatisfactory. es-
peoially to the toads. The eagle-stone was
considered an excellent thing 20 wear dur
ing pregnancy, and the swallow carried in
its stomach stones Of great medicinal value.
The brain Of the tortoise was supposed to
contain q wonderful stone. which was
ehicacious In extinguishing fire and when
placed under the tongue would produce
prophetic inspiration. Another stone pos
sessing the latter property was to be found
in the eye OF the byena. The head of the
cat, however, was thought to contain what
would undoubtedly havel been the most
wonderful and most desirable treasureaof
all, could IL have only hadnreal instead of an
imaginary existence, forfhat man who was
80 fortunate as to possess this precious stone
would have all his wishes granted. sci
The Duchess OF MAHIBoRppsH has presented
her husband with large and beautiful organ
with four manuals Tor bis library at Blenheim.