The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-29
From the Boston Globe.

=
Wy jewels in all countries neces-
states the employment of many
detectives and requires resort to many
skilful devices to deceive the ingenious
craftsmen who are continually watching
for an opportunity to abstract valuables
from even the most careful guardians.
In Great Britain, for example, the strict
est precautions are taken to guard such
treasures of King Edward as the crowns,
diamonds, caskets, etc. London citizens
are said to feel greatly relieved because
the wonderful Cullinan diamond has been
returned safely from Holland. This is a
personal gift from South Africa to King
Edward, and is a possession of imperial
Importance. The task of guarding this
precious stone has been onerous from the
beginning of its journey from Africa. Its
return from Holland to London was made
the occasion of little subterfuge to
which the King himself Is said to have
been party. All the newspapers an
nounced that the gem had left the possess
sion of the cutters under a strong guard
of astute detectives. The party consisted
of a member of the firm and seven de-
tectives, of whom three were on duty day
and night during the cutting of the dia-
mond, and the others were English de-
tectives.
To the care of this party was committed
black leather bag, locked and sealed
and chained and secured in all manner of
ways In 1t, the world was told, reposed
the Cullinan diamond, or rather, the eight
diamonds into which the giant has been
cut. The party travelled from Amsterdam
to Calais, from Calais to Boulogne, from
Boulogne to Dover and thence to Lon
don, where they handed over their charge
with the greatest possible relief.
Then, day or two later, came the true
story. The man who actually brought
home the diamond travelled as a steer
age passenger across the channel and
spent his time looking iistlessly into the
sea. The much-guarded black bag was
emptyl
This was a repetition of trick played
for the safe-coming of the gem from
South Africa to England.
| The great Koh-iNoor. which, until the
| advent of the Cullinan, was the most
precious diamond in the world, has had
vicissitudes enough to fill a book. No
| one who now sees 1t worn by Queen Alex
andra would credit the amazing story
woven around it, Who would dream that
that priceless gem has within modern days
lain buried-buried in the ash of cigars
| But such is the fact. While in India
it was missed, and so many crimes had
been committed in order to possess it that
naturally it was thought to have been
stolen. But it was not There, weeks
after in an ash-tray, it was found buried
entirely by cigar ashes.
| The Kings treasures are considered
| very safe when lodged in the various
palaces where there are many guards.
When the court travels many costly jew
els are taken along.
| American tourists will be somewhat sur
prised at this statement by an English
periodical:
when we go to the tower to look upon
the crown regalia we all hatter ourselves
with the belief that that which we see
is genuine, that all that glitters is gold
unless it be precious stones. AS fact,
| Inefe Is u BOOu ucdl VI paste III tllc COL
lection. For several reasons 1t has been
found desirable to alter the character of
some of the crowns and other emblems,
and the places of the gems have been
filled by very excellent paste.''
| STILL on those occasions when the
crowns and the full complement of mod
! ern regalia are there the sum represented
| is worth a kings ransom. When the
crowns and emblems have been removed
| for the opening of parliament or other
state occasions the jewel tower is watched
| with extraordinary care. Nobody beyond
Those entrusted with the removal of the
| jewels knows when the operation will
take place. The precious gear is not car
ried through the streets in state process
sion; nothing indicates the nature of the
| treasure of which the custodians have