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DIAMONDS. 77
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wearer.
If the said fateful Diamond should come your way, my fair friend, sell
it! If no one will buy it, then present it to your worst enemy, and
pray to be forgiven! If your worst enemy won't have it, bribe her with
all the pocket-money you can screw out of your husband. If finally your
enemy sends the stone back to you, by parcel post, then stamp upon it
with the heel of your dainty slipper, stamp it to powder ; and give it
as fuel to your housemaid when she has run out of firewood."
In
a large Star, Cross, and Chain, worn on grand gala days by the Prince
of Brazil, as Sovereign of the PortuÂguese Orders of Knighthood, the
central Diamond of the Star is valued alone at eight hundred thousand
pounds.
Diamonds,
when rubbed together, have a peculiar indescribable sound, of a grating
character, which is significant of their distinctive nature. This
accurately denotes the gems whilst still in the rough.
The
Rajah of Mattan in Borneo possessed (as stated) a large Diamond which
was shaped like an egg, with an indented hollow near its smaller end.
It was found in that island, being of the finest water, and weighing
more than two ounces. All attempts to polish diamonds were baffled
until 1456, when young Berguin of Bruges effected this by rubbing two
stones together.
Samuel
Pepys has told, in his inimitable Diary, low, on March 4th, 1660, "My
Lord (Sir Edward Mountagu, first Earl of Sandwich) went this morning on
his journey to Hinchingbroke ;—before his going he did give me some
jewels to keep for him, viz., that the King of Sweden did give him,
with the King's own picture in it, most excellently done ; and a brave
George; all of diamonds." Again on November 16th, 1664 : " To Erifie ;
where Madame Williams did
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