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Ch. 3: The Famous Pelegrina Pearl

Ch. 3: The Famous Pelegrina Pearl Page of 278 Ch. 3: The Famous Pelegrina Pearl Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
     
     
 
LA PELEGRINA. 63
icate lustre; the pear-shaped pearl generally
contains the greatest size.
The Pelegrina is a pear-shaped pearl weigh­ing one hundred and thirty-four grains, and at the date of its arrival in Europe and for a cen­tury afterwards was the largest known pearl. It came across the water in 1559, for the Pelegrina is an American prodigy. In that year, Philip II., King of Spain, was in a very festive mood. He had the year before lost his uncongenial although royal wife, Mary of England, and he was looking out for another bride. His choice fell upon Elizabeth of France, a pretty girl of sixteen who had been betrothed to his son Don Carlos. She arrived in Spain early in the fol­lowing year, and he expressed his delight at her beauty. He lavished all sorts of presents upon her and amongst others a " jewel salad." In this quaint conceit the role of lettuce was played by an enormous emerald, ably seconded by topazes for oil, and rubies for vinegar, while the minor but essential part of salt was assigned to pearls.
  
 
 
  
     
 
Ch. 3: The Famous Pelegrina Pearl Page of 278 Ch. 3: The Famous Pelegrina Pearl
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