The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
TABLETS With HISTORIES
Ordinary Appearing Rocks But of
Great Significance.
The sconc stone Upon which Ed
ward VII VIII BE AnOinted King
OF England and Emperor of India
Traditions of Universal Interest.


Traditions of Universal Interest.
Scattered around the world are some or
binary looking stones which are more val
liable than diamonds II their historic and
archaeological significance be considered
Others are curious and interesting Tor
various reasons. though casual tnspec-
ton of any of these precious rocks would
scarce suggest to one unacquainted with
their history that they were possessed oil
any claim to distinction.
First among the worlds historic stones
perhaps is the Lila Fail or Scone stone
which is placed beneath the plain chair
OF biack OAK upon which Edward VII will
be anointed King OF Great Britain and
Emperor of India.
The rightful possession of the Scone
stone is claimed by Scotland and ireland,
and many of the inhabitants of both coun-
tries count the decline of their respective
nations and the ascendancy Of England
from the date of the latters possession Of
the Lila Fail." For over 500 years Eng
lands Kings and Queens have been
crowned upon it. Tradition says that its
history can be traced back to the plains OF
Luz where Jacob laid his head upon it
and dreamed his ladder dream; that it
was preserved in the temple as witness
of the covenant between Jacob and his
God; that IT was carried to Egypt by the
prophet jeremiah after the Jews had been
taken eaDtives to Babylon; and that it
was taken from Egypt to ireland by a
princess in $50 b. G. From ireland it is
said to have been taken to Iona in \. ID.
5G3, that Fergus, son Of Eric, first King
of the Scots. might be crowned upon it,
D. lie in Ira1a nd h9H 10
fore him.
The history of the stone is said to date
from the time of St. COLUMBIA of Iona.
who, when dying "a. d. $50. requested
that his head might be placed upon it in
token of his faith in its Biblical tradition.
From Iona it was taken to Scone, Scot
land, by King Kenneth (S42). and enclosed
in the present wooden chair. after the
Scottish kings. having extended their
power over the Picts, had transferred
their royal residence to Scone.
The Abbey OF Scone had possession of
this stone of Destiny from A. d. SO to
1895, and during these four hundred and
hfty-four years all the kings of Scotland
had been crowned upon il. From \. d.
1896 it has been in the possession Of the
English. Edward J, King of England.
having dethroned John BaliOl took with
him to England all the relics Of Scottish
independence, this celebrated stone being
among the number Robert Bruce stipu-
lated for its restoration, and although
Edward ii attempted TO comply. he was
prevented by mob from restoring the
stone to Scotland.
Glover states that the return Of the
Lila Fair TO ireland. and the possession
of IL by the Irish nation. is made the
vital spark and motive of the Fcnian
secret oath.
The stone is of a dark color. streaked
with red, and is twenty-siX inches long.
sixteen inches wide. and eleven inches
thick. Its surface is much defaced, a
long, deep crack almost dividing it in two.
LIMERICG'S TREATY STONE.
At one end of Thormond Bridge, in the
city Of Limerick. Ireland, is the famous
Treaty Stone" shaped like an arm
chair, upon which the treaty with Eng
land. October 3, 1851. was signed. The
history of this stone is a follows:
When the Irish and French garrison OF
James II surrendered to De Ginkel, one
article OF the treaty stipulated that Ro-