Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/46

36 The "Cumberland" is, or was, in possession of the King of Hanover. But as there is now no King of Hanover, I am not certain where the gem is kept.

The "Polar Star" and the "Shah" are both among the crown jewels of Russia.

The "Pitt" is among the crown jewels of France, and was once worn by the first Napoleon in the hilt of his sword.

The "Eugenie" was given by the present Emperor of France to his wife, who now has charge of it.

The "Florentine" is the great yellow diamond of the Austrian crown; it is supposed to have once been in possession of Charles the Bold, and the story says it was lost at the battle of Granson. The soldier who found it sold it for a florin, and got drunk with the money.

The "Sancy" was once an heir-loom of the Dukes of Burgundy, and dates back before the year 1479. It has gone from hand to hand in strange and bloody ways and is in possession of an Indian merchant named Jejee-bhoy.

The "Nassak" has been sold from hand to hand since it came into possession of the East India Company, and is said to be now in the hands of the Marquis of Westminster.

I am unable to say who now keeps the "Pigott;" but the "Star of the South" is in possession of the Costars of Amsterdam, who are the greatest of diamond cutters; and any one who would like to keep it might get the privilege for one million dollars gold. The "Hope" is the largest and most perfect of blue diamonds, and is in possession of the "Hopes" of Amsterdam. Its color is a brilliant sapphire blue.

So much for the names of some of my great diamonds. My philosophy tells me that I own them, and enjoy them, just as those do who have the care of them. The most they can do is to go and look at them, and bathe in their brilliant, flashing lights, and that I can do whenever I wish. This ownership, my dear reader, I now confer upon you. It would be impossible for me or for you to keep, to guard these fifteen gems, valued, perhaps, at some $15,000,000. We should never sleep o' nights, fire would be a horrible thought, we should certainly be murdered in our beds, or we should—fifteen of us—be raving maniacs in mad-houses. Should any of the present owners ask me to take his diamond, I here state that I would positively and peremptorily refuse. I have a sacred regard for my stomach and brain which would render it impossible.

Beside the great diamonds mentioned is one called the "Braganza," in possession of the Crown of Portugal, which, in its rough state, is said to weigh 1,880 carats. But great doubt exists as to whether it is really diamond, and the Portuguese do not seem anxious to have the problem solved. There are also fine diamonds belonging to the Turkish crown, and there is a sort of half-knowledge of most rare and precious gems to be found among the strange despotisms of Asia. The Viscount Pollington tells of what he saw in Persia in this way:

In this there were some forty gold rings, each with a single diamond, of which the largest (diamond, not ring) was some one and a half inches round, and the smallest a quarter of an inch. One with a large yellow diamond. Two diamonds were placed as pendants at the end of a necklace of pearls, and most gracefully, looking like two drops of dew. Two pearl necklaces, each pearl perfectly round and white, and about the size of a large pea. In two little drawers two or three more necklaces, the pearls this time much larger; and in the bottom drawer another, of the largest pearls we have yet seen, arranged—an oblong one, and a perfectly round one alternately, each, without the smallest exaggeration, being the size of a sour cherry. This casket always follows the Shah wherever