|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 PRECIOUS STONES.
and when combined into a talisman, they attract such powerful planetary spirits as render the bearer almost invisible."
Marlowe in his (Rich) Jew of Malta, 1633, has told about Eastern superiority as to its wealth, and magnificence of Precious Stones, and rare Gems :—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
" In olden times," writes Harry Emanuel, F.R.G.S., On Diamonds and Precious Stones, 1867,
" the Monarchs of the East, with their fondness for display, and pomp,
decorated—as likewise they now do,—their horse-trappings, their
thrones, and their persons with gems ; long even before they knew how
to cut these : and they attributed—as also at the present day—magical
and talismanic powers thereto. This belief has been, and still remains,
shared by almost every nation. Even in our own country many persons
nowadays wear about them a Turquoise, in the full belief that it
preserves them from contagion." This gem, the Turquoise, in old Roman
times was conceived to have an affinity with its possessor, or master,
and to change colour as his state of health varied; and it is a
positive fact that some Turquoises do alter in colour under differing
conditions ;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
