70 THE GREAT DIAMONDS OF THE WORLD.
the
rati being J of a carat. When Mirgimola, who betrayed his master, the
King of Golconda, presented this stone to Shah Jehan, to whom he
withdrew, it was in the rough state (brut), and at that time
weighed 900 ratis, which make 787-1/2 carats, and there were several
flaws in it. Had this stone been in Europe it would have been treated
differently ; for some fine pieces would have been taken from it, and
it would have remained heavier [than it now is], instead of which it
has been quiteground down. Itwas Hortensio Borgis* who cut it, for
which he was also badly paid. When it was cut he was reproached for
having spoilt the stone which might have remained heavier, and, instead
of rewarding him for his work, the King fined him 10,000 rupees, and
would have taken more if he had possessed more. If Hortensio knew his
business well, he would have taken from this large stone some fine
pieces without wronging the King, aud without having so much trouble to
grind it down. But he was not a very skilful diamond cutter."
The second passage occurs at p. 277, where he is describing the diamond mine, "called Gani in the language of the country, and Contour in Persian.f and where he tells us that the Great Mogul was found :—
"
A number of stones are now found here from 10 to 40 carats, and even
occasionally of much larger size. But amongst others, the great diamond
which weighed 900 carats before being cut, and which
