Francis
Stephen and Maria Theresa entered their new capital, remained there
four months, and then departing carried away with them the great Tuscan
diamond. So much for the respect paid to the wills of dead princes !
Henceforward the yellow diamond became known as the Austrian Yellow in
recognition, we suppose, of the royal thief who carried it off from
Florence.
At
the coronation of Francis Stephen as emperor of Germany at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, on the fourth of October, 1745, the pilfered
diamond was used to decorate his Majesty's imperial diadem. Maria
Theresa had been extremely anxious for her husband to be emperor, both
because she was fondly attached to him, and because she wanted him to
hold a title equal at least to her own as Queen of Hungary. She stood
on a balcony at the ceremony and was the first to salute him with the
cry of " Long live the Emperor ! " when the crown had been placed upon
his head. Our readers will of course be
