HERE
is at 18, New Bond Street a remarkable case containing a collection of
the models of many of the great diamonds of the world, the histories of
which are set forth in this volume. The facsimiles are cut in crystal
and glass, and in regard to the tinted stones, the rare hues of the
originals are suggested. In this very interesting collection, gathered
together in spite of many difficulties, and with much careful research,
will be found the story of the " Hope Blue," simply told in three parts
(we had almost said in three volumes), that once formed one great and
glorious gem. It would be a strange story, could it be told, the
history of this cleavage, with the details of the several adventures of
the triple gems, since the masterpiece was stolen from the Garde Meuble
in the stormy times of 1792.
Failing
the possibility of our entertaining the reader with such a narrative,
we think it will be admitted that there is a certain amount of romance
in the very logic of facts which has identified the divided gem, and
for the purposes of history, at all events,
