worn
for many years, and the Pearls are losing their lustre: in a word, they
are dying. When not in use a necklace of Pearls ought never to be put
away in a velvet-lined case, or laid in cotton-wool; but it should be
rolled up in soft fine linen, or in a silk handkerchief, or chamois
leather. No grease, or oil should ever be permitted to approach them,
as anything of this nature not only deprives the Pearl of its lustre,
but further corrodes its polished surface. Sea-water is said to restore
" sick," or dulled Pearls to their original freshness ; and many an
historic chain, or chaplet, has been revived at intervals in the course
of its existence by being submerged (in a perforated case) at the
bottom of a deep rock-pool, the secret of which as to its whereabouts
being revealed to only a few trustworthy persons. It is said that
experts have been known to employ a baking process for Pearls which
have become much damaged by an unsuitable climate, or long neglect. The
necklace, or clasp, is enclosed in a lump of dough, made with
barley-meal, the loaf being then baked in the usual way. Nothing so
effectively preserves the shimmer, and brightness of a healthy Pearl as
confinement in a tin box filled with clean dry sawdust.
Not
long since (February, 1906) Herr Karcsay, a remarkable Hungarian gipsy
violinist, astonished the London public by his wonderful rendering of
real Hungarian Music; which, said the violinist,—is "like old Tokay
wine : it possesses the character of the ancient folk-songs ; the vague
aspirations of a thousand years of conflict and trouble, sparkling in
its melodies." Two peculiar instruments hitherto unknown in this
country, were introduced at the several recitals ; one, the symbal, or
symbaloni, as usually played by gipsies
