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CHAPTER XVII
MOONSTONE
M
OONSTONES have a
soft attractiveness that is in contrast with the flashing angles of the
majority of precious stones. They are usually cut en cabochon or
sometimes turned in the form of balls, and, as the stone is reputed to
be potent in providing its possessor with good fortune, these chatoyant
spheres are in favour as lucky charms. The superstitions regarding gems
in medieval times included one that was quite general, that a moonstone
held in the mouth would stimulate and refresh the memory. If the
moonstone really possesses such efficacy, it should be a modern
specific for witnesses in courts of justice, such as corporation
officers whose books have been burned, or otherwise illegally disposed
of, and bankrupts who cannot remember what disposition was made of
their assets. Among the beliefs held of this stone, was one that it
would cure
epilepsy, a faith still retained by the French
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