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THE FRENCH BLUE.
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way
to the East carrying with him a vast quantity of cinque-cento * enamel
work and jewelry, which he sold to the Asiatic sovereigns, and bringing
back a number of precious stones which he sold to the kings of Europe.
Jean Baptiste Tavernier was, in fact, a sort of peddler among princes.
He
made in all six journeys to India during the space of forty years, and
amassed great wealth. Although a Protestant, he was ennobled by Louis
xiv. on account of the services he had rendered to French commerce, and
he thereupon bought the barony of Aubonne in Switzerland which he
afterwards sold to Du-quesne the great navigator.
Louis
xrv. was one of his best customers and bought from him jewels and rich
stuffs to the enormous amount of three millions of francs ;
*
During the visit of the Prince of Wales to India a few years ago it was
observed that some curious old jewels of Italian make appeared at the
gorgeous pageants which the native princes ordered for the benefit of
their future Emperor. It is thought that these were heirlooms dating
from Tavernier's time.
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