their
pristine lustre, and sparkling beauty;—a restoration which always
becomes effected under such salutary conditions. Taking this, and
collateral instances of the same convincing character, and veracity,
into thoughtful consideration, it is fair to conclude that a gem which
has lost its splendour, and sheen, its brilliancy of lustre, and its
whole beauty as a jewel, through being worn by a person out of health,
or spirits, must have parted with some of its best natural gifts for
the benefit of such a sufferer, especially; if found to regain these
its natural virtues when worn afresh by some kindly Samaritan, who is
enjoying full vigour of mind, and body, under the best possible
physical circumstances, and conditions.
About
the Turquoise wrote Leonardus : " There is an opinion that it is useful
to horsemen ; and that so long as the rider has it with him, his horse
will never tire him, and will preserve him unhurt from any accident. It
is further said to defend him that carries it from outward, and evil
casualties."
Mediaeval
writers ascribe other marvellous virtues to the Turquoise ; a list of
which is given by De Boot (1636). " Whoever wears a Turquoise so that
it, or its gold-setting, touches the skin,"—vel, non verinde est,—"
may fall from any height, and the stone then attracts to itself the
whole force of the blow, so that itself cracks, and the person is
safe;"—though the Marquis of Villena had a fool who, when asked by a
knight " What are the properties of the Turquoise ? " replied, " Why !
if you have a Turquoise about you, and should fall from the top of a
tower, and be dashed to pieces, the stone would not break." The author
of the Orphic Poem on Stones mentions one in the possession of Helenus
