ASTROLOGICAL MINERALOGY. 49
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precious stones. The hyacinth preserves from thunder-storms and from
pestilence, and induces sleep. This last quality was attributed to it
by Albertus Magnus. Without precisely rejecting this notion, Cardan
confesses that he carries ordinarily a very large hyacinth, and that it
has never appeared to contribute anything towards making him sleep; but
he adds immediately, and with perfect naivete, that his hyacinth has
not the true colour, and may possibly be far from good. It was also
believed that the hyacinth increased riches, augmented power, fortified
the heart, brought joy to the soul, &c.
He
describes the turquoise, which, mounted in a ring, secures the horseman
from all injury if he falls from his horse; and adds, " I have a
beautiful turquoise which was given me for a keepsake, but it has
never occurred to me to test its virtues, as I do not care, for sake of
the experiment, to fall from my horse."
It
is not necessary to multiply examples to give an idea of the remarkable
properties ascribed to gems in antiquity, and in the middle ages. In
discussing this subject M. Babinet makes the following striking
remarks:—
" For all maladies of a nervous or moral nature,
where imagination might exert a great influence,
precious stones were certainly a sovereign remedy. 4
