Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-26
KING OF ENGLAND,S GROWN.
Contains a Large spinel Ruby, Pale
 Sapphire and Small Colored Sapphire

"a F E3 s
 Sapphire and Small Colored Sapphire
 The most important historic jewels in the present imperial crown are the large spinel ruby in the center of the front cross-plate, the large pale sap- phire on the circlet of the crown In front, and the small, but finely color ed sapphire in the center of the cross plate above the mound at the top of the crown.
 The history of the so-ealled ruby is we'll known and is of great interest. In the 14th century, says Cyril Daven- port in the Connoisseur, it belonged ta the King of Granada, and Pedro the Cruel, King of Casti1e, received this king under the guise of friendship fin the Alcazar at Seville. Here he was murdered for the sake of his jewels, among which was this stone. Pedro afterward gave 1t to Edward, the Black Prince, after the battle of Nav arctic, as a mark of gratitude for his successful help, and it is also supposed to have been worn in the crown of Henry v at Agincourt On this oc- casion it may have helped to save a kings life, as the Due d'Alencon ain- ed blow at Henry which was turned by his crown, then worn over his hel- met.
 The stone is a finely colored, deep red spine1, a mineral which is chiefly, eound in the river beds of Ceylon, Burma and Siam. Like most oriental stones, this particular jewel has been pierced; the top of the piercing is now filled by small ruby set in gold, and the stone is uncut, but polished on its natural irregular surface. It is irregularly drop-shaped and about two inches in length.
 The second notable jewel in the i'm perial crown is the large pale sapphire in the front of the circlet. It wns worn in the crown by Charles II, and ultimately became the property of Cardinal York, who bequeathed 1t to the Prince Regent, afterward George ". The prince gave 1t to the Prin- cess Charlotte, but on her death it was returned, as it was properly consider ed to be a crown jewel. It is partial ly pierced, which may mean it WAS intended to be used as a bead, but never finished; or 1t might perhaps have been intended to serve as a sup port for an aigrette, in which case a, half-piercing would be enough. 1t is cut encabochon. as most ancient and mediaeyal stones were, and as colored stones should be, the edges being trimmed into the form of long sym metrical oval. No doubt this is an ori- ental stone; it is about two inches ill length.
 Edward the Confessor's emerald is much smaller and of deep color; 1t has been recut in brilliant form, prob ably for Charles IT, which was quite unnecessary. It is said to have been kept out of the confessor's ring, which was buried with him, and it has the reputation of being an anti dote to cramp. A story told about it relates that the confessor, in one of his walks about Westminster, met a beggar who asked aims, and the saint being at that moment short of money, gave him his ring in charity in the name of St John. Some time after ward some English pilgrims, travelling in the Holy Land, got into difficulties and consulted an old man, a stranger, who happened to be in their company On hearing that the travellers were English, he revealed himself to them as St John, the special patron of Edward, King of England, and he assisted them out of their troubles, and gave them ring to take back to their mon- arch, with the message that he would meet him in paradise in six months time When in due time Edward re- ceived the ring, he at once recognized 1t as that he had given to the West minister beggar, and when he died, according to the saints prediction, it was buried with him in his shrine at stminster.-London Globe.