250	Gem Trader
	Mr. Cooper, and have given in brackets the probable modern names for these stones as presumed by a promi­nent English lapidary, Mr. Claremont. It should be re­membered, by the way, that Hebrew is written from right to left, for otherwise it will not be clear why the first stone, according to our idea, should represent the third tribe, that of Levi.
	The word "breastplate" is perhaps something of a mis­nomer. It must not be thought to have been a cuirass or anything like that. It was no metal affair designed for pro­tection against weapons, but rather a doubled square of cloth or a kind of ornamental waistcoat, woven with thread of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, and fastened with blue lace. The stones were consequently not set in metal, but in ruches of gold filigree work such as can be seen at this day in the ornaments of Ancient Egypt displayed at the British Museum. The front part of the breastplate or Ephod is supposed to have been fitted with a pouch or bag in which were placed the Urim and Thummin, the oracular instruments by means of which the High Priest ascertained the Will of God. What were these instruments? Some people think