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DIAMONDS.
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shaped, and worked in the lapidary's hands only by one of its fellow stones:—" Diamond cut Diamond."
The protective virtue of this superlative Precious Stone has always been commonly believed among all civilised nations. Napoleon the Great had a Diamond set in the hilt of his sword, with a confident assurance that it would secure for him protection, and victory. The Third Napoleon always wore a lucky ring which had belonged to the First Napoleon. The Prince Imperial refused to have this ring removed from his father's finger after death; so that it was buried thereon. Since which time—remarkably enough—the House of Bonaparte have had a succession of misfortunes. President Kruger had an unlucky Diamond, which first belonged to Chaka, the Zulu chief. Chaka's brother assassinated him, and possessed himself of the Diamond. It had changed hands fifteen times before it became the property of Kruger,—each previous owner having died a violent death. Kruger's own misfortunes were associated with this Stone by many persons.
De Boot's notion as to the beneficial effects on the health, and spirits which may be looked-for under the influence of varied light has been verified recently by ascertained facts. Thus M. Redard, Professor of Medicine in the Geneva University, has made a com­munication lately on this subject to the National Institute at Geneva. He states that each of the primary colours has a definite, and characteristic effect on the human organism. Red light is found to be more or less irritating ; with yellow light the general effect is depressing ; while blue light proves calming, and produces a sense of well-being. Professor Redard puts his conclusions, as thus stated, to practical effect