PRECIOUS STONES. 57
ordained
that the cause of any aggrieved person should be brought before him by
ringing a bell placed in a public part of his Palace. A serpent had its
nest near the spot where the bell-rope hung ; and, in the absence of
this serpent, a toad took possession of its nest. The serpent, on its
return, by twining itself round the rope managed to ring the bell for
justice, when, by the Emperor's special command, the toad was killed. A
few days afterwards, while the Emperor was reclining on his couch, the
serpent entered the chamber, bearing a precious stone in its mouth ;
and, crawling up to the Emperor's face, laid it on his eyes ; then
glided out of the apartment. The monarch found his sight restored from
that moment.
It
is more than probable that underlying this mythical story there is a
basis of positive fact; as is the case with most of the old classic
fables, and likewise with the familiar Fairy tales of our childhood. By
virtue of some particular Gem worn in contact with his eyes the
fortunate Emperor Theodosius was enabled to recover his powers of
sight. Most likely this potential Gem was the Sapphire, famous from all
time for remedying defective vision. For instance, as we tell
elsewhere, and more in detail, there was formerly in the Church of Old
Saint Paul's, London, a famous Sapphire kept expressly for helping
infirmities of the eyes of all persons thus afflicted who might resort
to it. In St. Alban's Abbey is preserved a Stone which was presented by
the Bishop of Ardfert, Ireland, of a light airy colour, marked with
white spots, and called the ' Serpent's Stone, which was thought to be
efficacious against Lunacy. This Stone is square in form, and
encompassed with silver."
