THE NAPOLEON.
The Vague History of a Brilliant Gem—An Ornament of Napoleon's Sword Hilt.
ERY
little is known regarding this beautiful gem, whose history begins as
abruptly as it terminates. Like one of those bright meteors, which in
northern climes suddenly flash across the starry firmament to be
presently extinguished in darkness, it makes its appearance in the
British metropolis about the time of the French Revolution, and has
already vanished out of sight almost before the close of the eighteenth
century. Murray, who is almost our only authority for its brief but
brilliant career, tells us that it belonged originally to Mr. Eliason
(the same gentleman who sold the " Blue " diamond to Mr. Hope), of
London. It was seen in his possession by a trustworthy person, from
whom Murray received the few particulars which he has recorded
regarding its subsequent history. From this source we learn that it
was purchased from Eliason for £8,000 by Napoleon Buonaparte, and by
him worn in the hilt of his sword on the occasion of his wedding with
the hapless Josephine Beauharnais, in 1796. Murray adds that " it was
not a diamond of the first class," although it is known to have really
been a very perfect stone.
It is remarkable that at that early period of his career, when he was still only a distinguished general
