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XLIV.
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THE SEA OF GLORY.
A Reminiscence of Persian Splendour—A Splendid Crown -jewel.
T is quite possible that the graphic author of the Sketches of Persia, published
by Murray, may have seen this notable gem. He saw the " Sea of Light,"
and other stones, some of which he could not individually examine. For
example, on his second visit to the Persian Court, the king, at the
reception of the envoy from the Governor-General of India was literally
covered with rare jewels. His dress " baffled description." It was a
robe of white, a-blaze " with jewels of an extraordinary size, and
their splendour, from his majesty being seated where the rays of the
sun played upon them, was so dazzling, that it was impossible to
distinguish the minute parts which combined to give such amazing
brilliancy to his whole figure." The splendours of the Persian Court in
those days were on a far different scale to the somewhat " faded
glories " of to-day, when the Shah is in danger of falling between two
alternatives, a forced alliance with Russia, or an uncertain dependence
upon the lukewarm friendship of England. In the days of the Seffarean
monarchs, Merv was considered the most important frontier post of
Persia ; to-day it is almost an outpost of the Russian power in Asia.
The " Sea of Glory " is one of the principal gems of the Persian crown. It weighs 66 carats, and is said to be worth £ 34,848.
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