A FAMOUS NECKLACE. 239
the
many types of necklaces which have found favor in the eyes of humanity.
To do so would be quite beyond the scope of these stories. We propose
on the contrary to select but one — one especially notable amid the
necklaces of the past. We may mention that the first diamond necklace
ever known in Europe was one composed of rough stones which was given
by Charles vii. of France to Agnes Sorel. The fair lady's soft neck was
so irritated by the sharp corners of the necklace that she said it was
her pillory {carcan), hence the term carcanet which
means a diamond necklace. The term fell into disuse about the time of
the Revolution, and the proper name in France for a string of diamonds
at that period was riviere. Nowadays they have restored the carcanet and kept the riviere as well, both terms being in common use.
Of
all the necklaces in all countries and all times, incomparably the most
famous was that one with which Marie Antoinette's name was
