New-York tribune., 1905-04-12

nouneed theatrical Ieanings Of the late head Of the
house OF Paeet '''
Some OF his obituaries seem disposed to ascribe
nus craze ior precious stones and for 1ewelrv
70 disOrdered mind. but this IS hardly cor
rect No oae knows this better than the British
government OF India, which again and again has
zen Obliged TO warn native vassal princes, re-
nO"ned for their statecaf and for their cIeverness
IN the administration OF their doninions. against
tne consequences OF indulging in their passion for
SENS which has led the shrewdest of them
AOlIies OF the most extraordinary descrp-
uOh Indian history, indeed, Is full Of instances
Illustrating this popularity. Runjeet Singh for in
stance one o. the ablest men Of Asia was so 70
sPeaA- martyr to his overweening desire for the
1Noh-l-Noor. which now glitters on state occasions
among the jewels Of Queen Alexandra and even
MaFs nave been waged in India and elsewhere in
lne orient for the possession of famous gems.
KING CHARLEs's BIG DIAMOND SEAL.
ApropOs OF the latter. It has lately been dis
covered that a famous English crown diamond
"hich mysteEiously disappeared at the time OF the
execution OF King Charles I-that is to say, con-
Hoeraoly over two hundred years ago-is now in
Ihe possession OF the Shah OF Persia. It is da-
mond OK considerable size and OF exceptional purity
eheny remarkable. however. for the fact that
II mas engraved upon Il the royal arms Of Eng
Iaho' King Charles kept this by him until the
very last. and then gave it TO his faithful at
tenoant. Herbert, IN order TO be conveyed 20 his
son. the Prince Of Wales. afterward King Charles
II Whether It ever reached the prince and was
sold by him. II It was stolen lost before IL
reached his hands. It is impossible 10 say But 1t
seems to have been conveyed to Teheran by Ia
vernier, and TO have been sold by him to the Shah
There is stone hard the diamond, and
engraved diamonds are exceedingly rare, while as
for diamond OF the size and purity Of that OF
Charles I. impressed with the royal arms Of Eng
land. Il is absolutely unique
OF course. there is no means at present Of re-
covering II. For there IS nothing TO prove that It
not sold by King Charles IL after his father 5
execution. to TavernieT. with whom he is known to
have been acquainted. and Charles was always
in want OF money, both prior and subsequent to
his accession 20 the throne It is quite probable
that he may have disposed OF it to Tavernier in
return for ready cash. Perhaps, however. some
day Persia may fan into the hands Of India like the
Punjab. The ancient empire OF Darius and Xerxes
bound, in the ordinary course Of events. TO be-
come the prey either OF Great Britain or Of Russia
both OF which hovering its borders. each in
tent for present upon preventing its absorption
by the other. When. however. the moment comes
for incorporation into the Oriental dependencies
OF King Edward the Indian government may be
trusted insert clause in the treaty similar to
that in the convention covering the annexation OF
the Punjab which provided for the surrender 70
the British Crown Of the Kohi-noor. whereby It is
stipulated that King Charless diamond signet be
returned 10 his successor on the throne Of Eng
land MARQUISE DE FoNTENOE.