The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-07-05
QUEEN VICTORIA'S CROWN,
NO. %.

IN the 1oWer or London Is kept the
queens crown, the diadem used at her
coronation in 1888. 1t is composed of
very ancient relics, but is a modern COM
position, having been made by the firm of
Rundel & Bridge, and completed in the
year 1928.
The crown is constructed of Jewels ta-
ken from old crowns, and other stones
provided by her majesty 1t consists of
emeralds, rubies sapphires, pearls, and
diamonds. The stones which are set in
gold and silver, encase a crimson velvet
cap with border of ermine, the whole of
the interior being lined with the finest
white silk.
Above the crimson border on the lower
edge of the band is a row of 1919 pearls
Round the upper part of the band is bor-
der of 112 pearls. In the froat, stationed
between the two borders of pearls, is Il
huge sapphire, purchased by George w.,
set in the centre of valuable pearls At
the back, in the same position, is another
but smaller sapphire.
The sides are adorned with three sap
phires and between these are eight emer-
aids. Above and below the sapphires, ex-
tending all round the crown, are placed at
intervals fourteen large diamonds, the
eight emeralds being encircled by clusters
of diamonds, 1913 in number Between
| the emeralds aud sapphircs are sixteen or
naments, each consisting of eight dia-
monds. Above a circular bend are eight
sapphires, set separately, encircled by
eight diamonds. Between each of these
eight sapphires are eight festoons of eigh-
teen diamonds each
In front of the crown is diamond Nal
tese cross, in the centre of which glistens
the famous ruby giveu to Edward l. by
Don Pedro the Cruel. This is the stone
which adorned the helmet of Henry " at
the battle of Agincourt. The centre of
the ruby is followed out, and the space
filled, in accordance with the Eastern Gus
tom, with a smaller ruby. The Maltese
cross is formed of seventy-ive splendid
diamonds. At each of the sides and at
the back is a Maltese cross with emerald
centre, containing respectively 1872, 1874,
and 13O sparkling diamonds.
Level with the four Maltese crosses, and
stationed between them, are four orna-
ments shaped like the tleur. de-lis, with
four rubies in the centre, and surrounded
by diamonds containing 81, S6, and 81 d-
amonds. From the Maltese crosses spring
four imperial arches, composed of oak
leaves and diamonds. The leaves are
formed of 72S diamonds; 32 pearls rep
resent the acorns and "a diamonds in the
cups.
From the upper part of the imperia
arches hang four large pendant-shaped
pearls set in diamond cups, each cup be-
ing formed of twelve diamonds, the stems
from each of the four hanging pearls be-
ing incrusted with twenty four diamonds.
Above the arch is the mount, which is
made of 43S diamonds. The zone and
arc represented by thirty-three diamonds.
On the summit of the throne is a cross
which has for its centre rose-cut sap
phire set in the centre of fourteen large
diamonds.
Altogether the crown comprises one
large ruby, one large sapphire, twenty-six
smaller sapphires, eleven emeralds, four
rubes, 1868 brilliants, 1913 rose dia-
monds, 4 pendant shaped pearls, and 213
smaller pearls
1t is the heaviest and most uncomforta-
BILE diadem worn by any crowned head in
Europe.
SPIDERS. WHAT THEY HAVE DONE
Spiders have played a greater part in his
tory than most people are aware Of
Everybody knows how the perseverance
of spider encouraged Robert Bruce to
regain his kingdom of Scotland but not
SO many know that according to Jewish
tradition spider saved David's life. Saul
was hunting for him, and his soldiers APP
preached cave where David was hidden.
Shortly before, however, a spider had
spun her web at the mouth of the cave,
and the soldiers, taking it for granted
if he had taken refuge in the cave he
must nave broken the wen, ueparteu, lor-
getting the web might have been spun at
ter as well as before his entrance. A spi-
der saved the life of the grand uncle of
the German Emperor. Frederick William
was King of Prussia, and an attempt was
made to poison him in Il cup of chocolate.
BY chance spider fell into the cup, and
for this reason the monarch gave the
chocolate to dog, who Immediately died.
Inquiry was made with the result that the
cook was hanged, and Il large spider
wrought in gold now decorates one ofthe
chief rooms of the Winter Palace at Hots-
dam in memory of the Kings escape.