HOME OF THE DIAMOND. 209
that a diamond-field had been discovered in Arizona, and many
credulous people were allured to this region with the expectation of making their fortunes by purchasing the right to mine
for the diamonds. The report was fabricated and circulated by
a band of swindlers, who very shrewdly scattered a quantity of
rough diamonds, or stones resembling them, about the
designated locality, with the view of entrapping the over-sanguine speculator ; but the fraud was detected in season to
prevent any general serious disaster.
Thus far the United States has been a large importer of
diamonds and other precious stones of the first class, thus
proving the wealth and luxury of many of her citizens. A
notice in one of the public journals of the seizure of smuggled
gems, made at the New York Post-office at one time, will give
some idea of the numbers imported. In the list were 132
diamonds, 200 sapphires, and 85 rubies, the whole valued at
from ten thousand to thirteen thousand dollars. Though the
possession of diamonds by private persons is by no means a
rare occurrence, yet foreign writers have absurdly exaggerated
ideas of their use in this country. Every one, says Burton, who
can afford it wears them, "even hotel waiters and negro
minstrels." " The amount imported into the United States,"
he goes on to say, " has greatly increased since 1849 "> tnis is
•doubtless correct, " but those introduced are generally of small
size, not often more than twelve carats in weight." Streeter
says that " diamonds are worn very generally in America by
both sexes, in all classes of society and in the streets of large
cities, but Americans have scarcely appeared in the market as
earnest bidders for large diamonds, and, in spite of the general
use of these gems, the great historical specimens are found
outside the Republic."
In confirmation of what is correct in these statements just
