The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13
TALIsMANS OF RULERS.
The Cars Ring Contains n Bit of
the snviour's Cross.

| The autocratic Gar of all the Russia:
constantly carries about with him ring
without which nothing would induce hin
to stir step from his palace. Though
| this is really q fiction, it is believed q
| contain tiny piece OF the cross on which
| the Savior was crucihed. The ring is sup
posed to be endowed with some occult
power of shielding its wearer from per
| soual danger; hence the Cars anxiety Il
! always have it with him. Belief in it!
magic influence was immensely strength
ened By the fact of the present Emper-
or's grandfather being without the ring al
| the moment OF his assassination.
The Shah OF Persia always wears belt
set with n superb emerald. TO which he
| asCrbes the same virtues as the Car at
: tributes to his sacred ring. The belt is
! FLIED with onion Feelings, the object Of
/ which is said to be to move any would-bt
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 oyertake him, and by strange CO.
| incidence II actually did. It will be re-
/ membereG that this Persian monarch was
| foully assassinated not many years ago
and it was a singular fact that he was not
/ wearing the gem a the time.
! King George OF Greece possesses 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
| riage His Majesiy's escape was so mirac-
ulous that he had this bullet extracted
and made into a charm for his watch
chain. He would not part with 1t for a
| kingdom firmly believing that as it merci-
fully missed him when directed at him, 1t
was designed to ensure him immunity
from assassination.
The Sultan of Turkey, who lives in con
slant dread of what has been described s5
the happy despatch" would not be an
Oriental II he did not believe in the eff
cacy OF charms. BIS own particular tails
man IS said to be a richly beieweled min
iature dagger With he invariably carries
about with him. Despite its virtues. how
ever, re takes the precaution of insisting
on one Of his Ministers tasting every dish
prepared for him before partaklng of It
himself
When the late German Emperor was
lying desperately III at San Reno, a re-
markable amulet was sent TO him by the
Sultan It consisted OF n string OF nine
stones OF the size OF hazel nuts, each of
which bore an inscription from the koran
and had been prayed over BIZ a NOslem
priest. Accompanying this royal talisman
was a letter assuring the Emperor that IL
he only wore IL his health would be at
once restored.
The Ameer OF Afghanistan wears a
beautiful gold ring, to which he ascribes
the fact Of his having survived 50 long
the Vaccinations OF his enemies. He has
been n good many times reported dead.
but thanks TO the magic of his golden ring
he sim lives to praise its protecting viz
tues.
No Chinese potcntate has ever been
without his precious amulet. II is re-
corded 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 tina.
particular arm was preserved to him.
and he was able TO issue his DEGREES as
usual But the fun extent OF the amulet's
mysterious 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 at the proposal which
was thereupon abandoned. At least, so
runs the story.
The to lismaH OF the sorrow stricken ex-
Empress Eugene is an artistIcally jew
eIed breastpIn, fashioned in the shape OF
a clover leaf. That has been her com
panion throughout her checkered career,
albeit IL has net always brought her hap
piness. She is said 10 have pinned it on
her bosom gbefure bidding farewell 10 her
beloved son. tue late prince imperial.
when he Rrt this country TO meet his
death at tSe hauis CT sayage5 OF South
Africa.