Φ
PRECIOUS STONES.
of the Duke of Buckingham were always of the richest kind;
his cloak, hat, plume, girdle, sword, and spurs, were brilliant with
costly diamonds. One of his suits, made of white velvet, was
-embroidered with nearly half a million worth of these gems, and
another, of purple velvet, was covered with valuable pearls.'ยท
When sent to France to escort Henrietta Maria to England, as"i
the bride of Charles I., this nobleman took with him twenty- \
seven different suits for his own use, all embroidered or ornamented with precious stones. Officers of state, up to this
period, had indulged in the same luxurious habits which characterized royal and noble families. The belt, girdle, and baldrick of the Lord Chancellor, during the reign of William the
Conqueror, were remarkable for richness of ornament, and
shone " like twinkling stars with stones most precious rare."
The " St George " belonging to the Garter, though not now
ornamented with precious stones, was formerly garnished with
costly gems. The insignia sent to Gustavus Adolphus bore
a " St George " enriched by eighty-four large diamonds.
The style of dress among gentlemen of the present day does
not admit of an excessive use of jewelry ; but it was otherwise
with past generations, when the materials for costumes consisted of satins, velvets, and embroidery, and when the fashion
of their garments allowed such oraaments. Less than two
centuries ago, a gentleman's attire was not complete without
"a jewel for his hat, chains for his neck, and rings for his
fingers," all more or less enriched with precious stones. These
elaborate wardrobes, says Mme. Barrera, proved a heavy burden in a pecuniary sense ; and not infrequently public men,
especially ambassadors to foreign courts, not only spent all
their income to maintain their station, but often incurred heavy
■debts besides.
A bride's trousseau in the sixth century exceeded even that
