PRECIOUS STONES IN LITERATURE. T33
steps to the throne were gold enriched with gems ; his table
was gold, crystal, and amethyst, over which was suspended a
vine covered with fruit of crystal, beryl, topaz, garnet,
almandine, emerald, peridot, and onyx ; cups, drinking-vessels,
and other articles, were made of precious stones.
This eminent traveller visited Ceylon, where he saw the
magnificence of the emperor's palace ; the royal apartment
was lighted by night by a pillar of gold set with a ruby and a
carbuncle one foot in length. He entertains his readers with
an account of that mythical personage, Prester John, whose
magnificent palace in the city of Susa surpassed those of all
other oriental rulers in richness and splendor. The throne
was ascended by alternate steps of onyx, crystal, green jasper,
amethyst, sardonyx, and chrysoberyl, bordered with gold and
orient pearls. All the columns were of fine gold set with
precious stones, the carbuncle serving the purposes of solar
light. The bedstead of this luxurious monarch was made of
gold embellished with sapphires. This account of Mandeville
differs, in some points, from the description given by another
writer, though both authors coincide in regard to the marvellous splendor of the court of Prester John. We are told that
the royal palace was built of costly wood and adorned with
gold and precious stones ; at the extremities of the gable were
two golden apples and two large carbuncles ; the apples to
give brilliancy by day, and the carbuncles to illuminate the
night. The gates to this magnificent structure were made of
sard, and the windows of crystal; the jousting-hall—this
oriental despot, it is evident, had adopted the feudal customs
of the West — was paved with onyx, and the furniture of the
banqueting-hall was of gold and amethyst. The royal treasures were guarded, night and day, by three thousand armed
men.
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