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CELEBRATED DIAMONDS 99
public
comment. Now that by changes of conditions, men gather riches by
finance instead of by violence, and are able to loot treasuries without
danger or fatigue, the excitements of mystery and murder are withdrawn
from the products of the diamond mines. Gems of greater worth and
beauty than those that sparkled from the heads of idols and Peacock
thrones, or upon the persons of the lords of rapine, untrumpeted by
legendary rumor, are disenchanted and reduced to the ranks of prosaic
commerce. No longer do picturesque freebooters gather hordes of
fighting men to swoop down upon the treasure chests of potentates; but
their descendants, in broadcloth and starched linen, by the battle of
wits, enrich themselves, and buy jewels more wonderful than those
which glitter in legend and romance.
Time
was when few of the large diamonds of the world were to be found
outside the lands of the Orient. While India was the chief source of
supply, her powerful princes let few escape them. Occasionally, Persia
by violence acquired some of them, and a few were stolen. Then as the
adventurers of Europe pushed their way east and made settlements in
India, there came opportunities to dispose of loot, and an odd stone
of size was now and then smuggled away and sold to some crowned head of
Europe. Then came the discovery of diamonds in Brazil. The intimate
relations of that country as an old-time colony of Spain and Portugal,
opened a new avenue between diamond mines and Europe, unhampered by the
jealous desire to own the best of the product which characterized the
ruling element of India, so that although Brazil produced few large
stones, the export of those that were found, was not restricted as in
India.
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