lirium tremens hanged himself. Thus twice baptized in blood the great diamond was fairly launched upon its life of adventure.
And now we come to the authentic part of its history.
Mr.
Pitt has left a solemn document under his own hand and seal recounting
his mercanÂtile encounter with the Eastern Jamchund. It would appear
from this notable writing that Mr. Pitt himself had been accused of
stealing the diamond, for he begins with lamentations over the " most
unparalleled villainy of William Fraser Thomas Frederick and Smapa, a
black merchant," who it would seem had sent a paper to Governor Addison
(Mr. Pitt's successor in Madras) intimating that Mr. Pitt had come
unÂfairly by his treasure. The writer then calls down God to witness to
his truthfulness and invokes His curse upon himself and his children
should he here tell a lie.
After this solemn preamble, Mr. Pitt goes on minutely to describe his transaction with the
