Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-01
QUEEN YICTORIA'S CASKET
IN IT ARE KEPT HER FAMOUS
PRECIOUS STONES.
The Green Garnet Likely to BE the
Rage This Season--Interesting
Tale of n Jewelry
Robbery.

Tale of Jewelry
Robbery.
1t was Sir George Chubb who de-
signed the casket placed by Queen
Victoria under the foundation stone
of the Victoria and Albert museum.
It was made in beaten copper, with
gold enrichments and q domed lid,
surmounted by the imperial crown on
q cushion. The top and base of the
casket had wide projecting fianges,
giving the necessary strength In con-
struction and adding to the dignity OF
the design. The front was divided in
to three panels, the center containing
a lunette with scroll bearing the
words South Kensington Science and
Art Department. the upper spaces
being occupied by devices relating to
the pictorial arts. The inside, in which
the records and coins We're placed by
the queen. was lined with royal-blue
velvet. The casket was finally closed
by small gold key of very elegant
design, bearing the initials ". r. L."
with a crown above.
The jewel of the present season is
likely to be the Divine, or green gar
net, though turquoise maintains
strong hold on fashionable favor. Ev-
cry month has its precious stone, but
fashion is capricious and chooses Oft
en- to honor one stone and reject 9th
ers, to the dismay of the jeweler who
has endeavored to anticipate her de-
crees. One man, remarkably good
judge, speculated heavily in the stone
called chrysoprase few years ago,
believing the demand would outlive
the supply. He reckoned unwisely
and was left with stock that was
practically unstable at remunerative
prices. 1t is not easy to realize that
corners" are frequently attempted
and sometimes achieved, in precious
| stones. Pearls are the favorites with
| spectators, but in the early part of
the present year emeralds were COR
nersd and the price pushed to height
that it still maintains. Diamonds are
too much controlled by South Africa
to respond to the manipulation Of deal
ers. The price Of antique silver is ris-
ing steadily and new silver goes lower.
A daring robbery Of jewelry took
place recently at Brixton, England. 1t
appears that traveller, said to be in
the employment of a large jewelry
firm, visited Brixton in the ordinary
course Of his business, taking with
him in brougham, driven by coach
man, jewelry to the value, 1t is be-
lieved, of $4,000. In the afternoon a
visit was paid by the traveller to the
Prince of Wales hotel almost adjoin-
ing the BriXton theater, Brixton road
where he and the coachman had some
refreshment. About half an hour be-
fore another brougham, similar in ap.
pearance to that of the traveller, llad
drawn up at almost the same spot
The driver Of this brougham was
dressed in almost similar livery to thai
Of the other coachman, and he also en-.
tered the hotel for refreshment
few minutes afterward the latter wa:
seen to leave, jump upon the box O.
the travellers brougham, and drive of
at furious pace in the direction o
Streatham hill. 1t was not discovered
until some time afterward that tn,
change of broughams had been effect
ed. A search was then made for tn,
missing brougham, and, after SOM
time, the traveller and coachman fount
the vehicle empty, four or five mile
distant from Brixton. 1t was subse
quently discovered that a lady ha,
seen the door Of the vehicle force,
open in Nightingale lane. The article
stolen comprise 600 dress rings Use
with rubies, diamonds, etc.), 200 ger
rings, 300 gold brooches, eighty gol
bracelets, seventy gold tassel alberts
} fifty gold alberts, forty gold guar
chains, 270 gold signet rings, $50 COL
r sleeve links, in addition to quantlt
of Jewel cases.