26 THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES
stition
than is the devotion to a flag, in itself only a few square feet of
silk or bunting, but, nevertheless, the symbol of the noblest ideas and
feelings, of patriotic devotion to one's native land and to one's
fellow-countrymen. The tendency to give a substantial visible form to
an abstract, idea is so deeply rooted in humanity that it must be
looked upon as responding to a human necessity. It is only very rarely
that purely intellectual conceptions can satisfy us ; they must be
given some external, palpable and visible form to exert their greater
influences.
Although
it may bear a certain superficial likeness to fetichism, this use of
signs and symbols is something entirely and radically different, for
the idea is never lost sight of, it is only strengthened and vivified
by the contemplation of the symbol. Hence, while we know quite well
that the symbol is nothing in itself, we know just as well that it has
a real power in its relation to the idea, it typifies, and we can no
more be indifferent to its injury or destruction than we could be
indifferent to the injury or destruction of a cherished memento of one
whom we have loved and lost.
"What
super-subtle sense is it that enables some women to endow their gems
with a certain individuality, and leads them to feel that these cold,
inanimate objects partake of human emotion? A French writer, Mme.
Catulle Mendès, gives expression to this when she says that she always
wears as many of her rings as possible, because her gems feel slighted
when she leaves them unworn. She continues :
I
have a ruby which grows dull, two turquoises which become pale as
death, aquamarines which look like siren's eyes filled with tears, when
I forget them too long. How sad I should feel if precious stones did
not love to rest upon me !
