mediaeval and modern times. One of these gems figures in
the chronicles of the empire as having been owned by the
Emperor Nero and transmitted to his successors, Trajan and
Hadrian.
The story of the "Diamond Necklace" has often been told,
but it will bear repeating, like many another tale fraught with
romantic interest. This jewel is said to have played a prominent part in bringing about the French Revolution, in which
Marie Antoinette, Cardinal Rohan, Madame De La Motte and
her husband, are the principal actors. Briefly stated, the facts
are these: Louis XV., in 1774, commissioned two court
jewellers to make a necklace of the most beautiful diamonds to
be had, for Madame du Barri ; but before it was completed, the
king died and was succeeded by Louis XVI. The necklace
was, however, finished, with the hope that it might be purchased for Marie Antoinette, the new queen ; but the price,
between one and two million livres, was beyond the capacity of
the " royal exchequer." Subsequently, Madame De La Motte,
one of the queen's attendants, represented to Cardinal Rohan
that her majesty had reconsidered the question and would
enter upon negotiations for the purchase of the necklace.
Duped by this woman, the cardinal bought the jewel, at the
request of his sovereign, as he supposed, and consigned it to
the attendant, whose aim was to get possession of it. De La
Motte, the husband, escaped with it to England, where it was
broken up, with the view of disposing of the diamonds. In the
meantime, the jeweller, who believed the queen had been the
purchaser, brought his claims for indemnity ; consequently, the
plot was discovered. The unfortunate cardinal, whose only
fault in the matter was over-credulity, was sent to prison, and
Madame De La Motte was scourged and condemned to perpetual imprisonment, from which, however, she managed to
