38 THE ORLOFF.
ties
of War and Diamonds. Whether this conÂclusion be true as regards war
may be open to doubt. Russia, without contention, is the most despotic
monarchy of Europe, and yet the one which can show the shortest list of
wars. With regard to diamonds, however, the deduction holds in all its
force. The Russian regalia is richer in precious stones than that of
any other Asiatic country. Besides numberless sapphires, rubies and
pearls it possesses an immense quanÂtity of diamonds.
This
passion for gems which characterizes the Russians was early observable
among them. It is no doubt an inherited Asiatic taste, brought with
them from the steppes of Siberia and the plains of Thibet, just as they
brought thence their high cheek-bones, their flat noses, their dull
skins, and the strong tendency to long hair and flowing beards.
As
early as the time of Peter the Great the diamonds were a notable
feature of the Russian crown. But it was in the reign of Catharine 11.
