The Washington herald., 1910-12-11
Ry Ex-ATTACHE.

Africa will play a conspicuous role at
the coronation of King George and Queen
Mary. For the great diamond that bears
the name of the Star OF Africa, far and
away the largest diamond in the world.
weighing more than 500 carats win fig
ure for the first time among the historic
Crown jewels of the vast British empire,
and will glitter from the head of the
scepter OF the sovereign. It viii thus
receive that same Christian consideration
which that other great diamond, the
Kohinoor. a stone OF the most sangui-
nary history. hailing from the Orient.
received for the first time at the corona
ton Of King Edward.
The Kohinoor was sorely in need Of
some such publication by means of a
religious ceremony OF such solemnity as
a coronation in Westminster Abbey. For
none OF the celebrated diamonds Of the
world has been the cause of so many
barbarous wars, massacres. and cruel
deeds throughout the fifty centuries OF
its part authentic. part legendary. rec
ord. Its presence as one of the eyes Of
the peacock throne OF the great MOgul
LED Nadir Shah 10 besiege, storm. and
sack Delhi, with Immense loss OF life.
He was assassinated on account OF the
stone, and his son, Shah Kokh. was not
only deprived of his throne, but blinded
and subjected 10 the most frightful tor
lures, 10 which he eventually succumbed,
in order to induce him 10 surrender the
gem.
Shah Zanan. his brother Shuja-ul-
Mulk. besides several other Persian and
Afghan sovereigns. suffered the loss OF
their eyes. OF their thrones. as well as
violent and cruel deaths. on account Of
the stone. sindeed, the only peaceful
portion Of its history has been since
1850. when. having been surrendered by
the government Of Punjaub on the an
nexation OF that kingdom TO the posses
sions OF the East India Company. by
means OF treaty. it was presented 70
Queen Victoria for use as one OF the
Crown jewels of England.
TnIisman of Sovereignty.
Throughout India this stone is regard
ed by the natives Of high and low degree
as sort OF emblem and talisman OF
the sovereignty Of the empire, and Il was
for this reason that Queen Alexandra
reIralneu from IUllt&4AlE the tAAA4aAtC Va
Queen Victoria, in occasionally wearing
it as a pendant, or in the form Of a
brooch. She took the ground that being
only a queen consOrt, its use by her
would be improper. and that its wear
should be confined TO the actual mon
arch of India II is understood that
Queen Mary shares her views in this re-
spect
Corouatons after all, are symbolic
and SO too are all the various portions
OF TIE regalia that figure in the eere-
mony. The KohinoOr adjoining the
crown. used for browning King George
is indicative of his sovereignty over
India, and all It's 10000 600 OF population.
The Star OF Africa shining from bis
scepter is emblematic Of his rulershif
over all that huge area Of the DARK
Continent subject TO the British flag.
1t remains for the Commonwealth of
Australia and for the Dominion OF Can
ada 10 be represented IN some similar
symbolic fashion. among the coronation
reeaHa OF the empire OF George V.
Although the crown with which Kine
George will be actually crowned next
June bears the name OF ST. Edward the
Confessor, yet it really dates from the
reign OF Charles II. For, after the
execution Of Charles /, Cromwell caused
the existing crown and all Of the re
gala of which he could obtain possession