gems
of old. Created amidst commotions of nature, of an intensity beyond
imagination, they have in historic ages often burst upon the knowledge
of Europeans in the lesser commotions of human life. War and famine,
civil strife, and pestilence have alike contributed to rescue from
comparative oblivion some precious stone. It has been eloquently
remarked, " A jewel may rest on an English lady's arm that saw Alaric
sack Rome, and beheld before—what not ? The treasures of the palaces of
the Pharaohs and of Darius, or the camp of the Ptolomies, come into
Europe on the neck of a vulgar pro-consul's wife, to glitter at every
gladiator's butchery in the amphitheatre ; then pass in a Gothic ox
waggon to an Arab seraglio at Seville ; and so back to its native
India, to figure in the peacock throne of the Great Mogul; to be bought
by an Armenian for a few rupees from an English soldier ; and so at
last come hither." The romancist or the poet may seek in vain for the
inspiration of more startling events than the possible adventures and
the known incidents that belong to the history of precious stones and
gems.
What
might not an inventive fancy build upon the vague traditions which hang
about the story of the Nizam diamond ? Although one of the very largest
stones in the world, little or nothing reliable is known about it,
except as to its size, estimated value, and its fortunate owner.
Barbot
says that, " the King of Golconda possesses a magnificent stone in the
rough state. It is known by the name of the Nizam, weighs 340 carats,
and is valued at 5,000,000 francs " (£200,000). For
D
