the
history of famous gems, and no butchery of the brave, no sacrifices of
the innocent, have marked the red footsteps of military conquerors with
deeper lines of infamy than are to be found in Eastern wars, that have
been undertaken for the sake of precious stones and gems.
At
the same time it must not be forgotten that the pleasant contrasts of a
slave winning his freedom, the monarch accepting stern reverses of
fate with dignity, the patient explorer rewarded, and glimpses of a
womanhood that is " far above rubies " now and then break in upon the
gloom of cruel intrigue and sanguinary wars which belong to the records
of so many famous gems. We can only regret that these " rays of
sunshine " are not many. It is as if the diamond needed, even in
history, a dark background to show up its strangely fascinating hues.
It has been a labour of love in the present instance to investigate
that dark background, to hunt out its secrets, and to bring them to the
light of day. If the result of our researches is half as full of
surprises for the reader as it has been for those engaged in the
production of this present history of The Great Diamonds of the World, then,
indeed, have the undersigned and his distinguished collaborators
provided some new sensations for the students of the romance of
history. In saying this we are not only referring to the two gentlemen
whose literary alliance gives additional importance to our labours, but
to the kindly aid which has been graciously vouchsafed to us by royal
and ministerial pens. During several years past there is hardly a Court
in Europe and the East with which we have not been in communication,
through Imperial ambassadors, and even directly, for the purpose of
procuring trustworthy records of the world's historic diamonds. We have
to acknowledge the unvarying courtesy with which our inquiries, some by
letter, some by personal application, some through special
commissioners sent on long journeys
