St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-09-26

Peculiar Sieulaca.ee Attached to the Pcs
session Of the Gem.
What color can compare with the ex-
quisite blue Of perfect sapphire.
either seen in the gem or illuminating
with twin-like effulgence some bewttch.
ing face Of maiden fair, or in the sunny
skies Of Italy, whose sapphire hue has
been SO enthusiastically described by
poets and romancers? The name OF
sapphire was not however, originally
confined to one gem, but was given to
Ill gems of q beautiful blue Oolor; and.
strange to relate, 1t has an almost
identical sound in various languages
Thus, in Greek we have Zapphirus. in
Latin Sapphirus and in Hebrew
Sapphir. 1t has always been favorite
with the church, a cardinal being pre-
sented with this gem, set in his state
ring. at the time of taking the purple.
The ancicnts attributed magical pow
er to the sapphire over evil thoughts
and over sickness, and considered that
il was a great preservative of chastity,
for which reason it was much used by
the priests. Edward the Confcssor had
fine one, which he wore as ring, and
which is now to be seen in the crown
of Queen Victoria, and forms not the
least valuable of the many historical
gems Of which the crown is composed.
But the most curious sapphire in exist
ence is the one in St Petersburg muse
um, whose color varies from whitish to
clear blue, and on it is engraved a
draped head, SO that the face is
white and the folds blue. which
produces q beautiful effect There is
also another stone engraved with the
head Of Nero. and said to have origin.
ally belonged to this monster OF wicked.
ness. Like most other precious stones,
the finest sapphircs are found in India,
and can be distinguished from other
kinds by the fact that the Oriental
sapphire retains its exquisite color by
gaslight, whereas the less valuable
kinds show black, or like an amethyst
ii color. The finest are obtained from
Burmah. and a few from Ceylon. In
the latter place the unsOphisticated
traveller on the lookout for bargains il
apt to be taken in by the innocent
looking natives, who arc skillful work
ers in metals, and adopts in deceit, and
will set q lovely-looking sapphire Of
the richest blue in brass setting, and
ask some ridiculously low price. which
appears to you to be totally inadequate.
You hurriedly purchase the stone.
chuckling to yourself on your good for
tune in securing such q prize. eagerly
seek ont an expert to declare the value
of your gem, only to learn that it is q
valueless 'doubtlct," composed OF two
pieces of crystal with color between
them. These are SO marvclously united
that It is almost impossible, without
the aid Of file, to detect the imposturc.
The writer was the possessor of one 81
these bogus rings, and can speak feel
ingly as to the awakening"
The ring of Cardinal Wolsey was &
magnificent stone, engraved with his
crest and coat of arms, and is now, l
believe, in the possession of Mr. King.
This gentleman (Mr. Kipg) tells us OF
an unexpected treasure of lovers OF art
| being found, forming the ornament OF
| the pommcl of the handle Of Turkish
dagger. II was a pale rounded sapphire,
nearly an inch in diameter: but upon
removing it from its setting a magnifi'
cent head of Jupiter was found en-.
gravcd upon it. evidently of great an.
| tiquity, arguing either that the owner
| was an admirer of art, or that, having
! stolen il, he hoped to conceal it,
identity by setting its face downwards
The sapphire derived its ancient name
Of lily acinthus from the resemblance OF
its color to the blue fleur-de-iys. tabled
to have sprung from the blood of Apol
los favoritc, Hyacinthus, and was con
sidered sacred to Apollo. and bly,
worn when consulting his oracles.
We read in ancient legends that every
month of the year has stone sacred t.
itself, which should be worn as ar
amulet by those born in that month
So, my gentle readers born in the
month of sunshine and showers, be
sure to have a sapphire for your tails
l man -Onca a Week