Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-14
FAMOUS ROYAL TALISMANS.
Charms Worn by Various MOnarchs to
Avert Sickness and Accident.

Avert Sickness and Accident.
From TitBits.
Some of the most powerful monarchs in
the world are the possessors of talismans
the loss of which would fill them with dire
forebodings and dismay.
The autocratic Gar of all the Russias
constantly carries about with him a ring,
without which nothing would induce him to
move a step from his place Though this is
really fiction. it is believed to contain q
tiny piece of the cross on which the Savior
was crucified.
The ring is supposed to be endowed with
some occult power of shielding its wearer
from personal danger; hence the car $
anxiety to always have 1t with him. Belief
in its magic influence was immensely
strengthened by the fact of the present en-
peror's grandfather being without the ring
at the moment of his assassination.
The Shah of Persia always wears belt
set with a superb emerald, to which he
ascribes the same virtue as the car attrib-
utes to his sacred ring. The belt is filled
with onion Feelings, the object of which Is
said to be to move any would-be assassin
to tears.
When the late shah visited this country
he was never seen in public without this
protecting belt and gem. He thoroughly
believed that If he Travelled without the
emerald disaster would overtake him, and
by a strange coincidence it actually did.
1t will be remembered that this Persian
monarch was foully assaSsinated not many
years ago. and it was singular fact that
he was not wearing the gem at the time.
King George of Greece possesses a tails
man, which is also a grim reminder of an
attempt on his life. Just at the conclusion
of the war with Turkey he was waylaid
and shot at several times, one of the bull
lets embedding itself in the box of his car
riS ge.
His majesty's escape was SO miraculous
that he had this bullet extracted and made
mi nh fnr nc atnh hot H1
would not part with it for a kingdom.
firmly believing that, as it mercifully
missed him when directed at him. 1t was
designed to insure him immunity from as
sassination.
The Sultan of Turkey, who lives in con-
slant dread of what has been described as
the HAPPY Dispatch would not be an
oriental If he did not believe in the eff
cacy of charms His own particular tails
man is said to be a richly bejeweled minia-
ture dagger, which he Invariably carries
about with him.
Despite its virtues, however. he takes the
precaution Of insisting on one Of his min
listers tasting every dish prepared for him
before partaking of it himself.
When the late German emperor was lying
desperatel i'll at San Reno a remarkable
amulet was sent him by the sultan. 1t con-
sisted OF string of nine stones of the size
Of hazel nuts, each of which bore an in
scription from the Koran and had been
prayed over by a Moslem priest
Accompanying this royal tdliSman was
letter assuring the emperor that if he only
wore it his health would be at once re-
stored.
The Ameer of Afghanistan wears beau
tiful gold ring, to which he ascribes the
fact of his having survived so long the
Vaccinations of his enemies. He has been
good many times reported dead, but
thanks to the magic of his golden ring he
still lives to praise its protecting virtues.
No Chinese potentate has ever been with
out his precious amulet. 1t is recorded of a
former " son of heaven that his talisman
was a bracelet which he wore upon his
forearm.
The result was that, when his celestial
majesty was stricken with paralysis, the
use of that particular arm was preserved
to him. and he was able TO issue his DEGREES
as usual. But the full extent of the anu
let's mystic power was only revealed at the
emperor'S death.
Three days after that event. when the
priests were viewing the body: the removal
of the bracelet was suggested. Instantly
the hand was lifted up in depreciation of
the proposal, which was thereupon aban-
doned. AT least runs the story.
The -talisman of the sorrow-stricken eX-
Empress Eugene is an artisticaily jeweied
breast pin, fashioned in the shape Of a
clover leaf. That has been her companion
throughout her chequered career. albeit il
has not always brought her happiness.
She is said to have pinned it on her bosom
before bidding farewell TO her beloved son.
the late Prince Imperial, when he left this
country to meet his death at the hands of
savages in South Africa