Precious Stones: Their History and Mystery

Nine chapters on what people have believed about jewels — the charms and the poisons, the chaplet of pearls, the ecclesiastical treasuries, and the great robberies they invited.

Philosophy

9 pages in this part of History and Mystery of Precious Stones.

Philosophy

THAT, may we ask," observes a writer in the "Edinburgh Review," "have been the sources of that fascination which precious stones have, from…

Philosophy: Plato

Addison, in the "Spectator" (No. 295), satirizes the extravagance of pin-money:- "Socrates, in Plato's 'Alcibiades,' says, he was informed…

Philosophy: Fuller

The story of "Golden Poverty," by Fuller, shows to what length the lust for wealth will reach:- "Pythis, a king, having discovered rich…

Philosophy: Florence

In the sumptuary laws of Florence the old burghers forbade indulgences in dress and ornament. "No woman of any condition whatever may dare…

Philosophy: Joseph

But Joseph could not empty the storehouses of Egypt to satisfy the cravings of all lands, nor sell away the bread of Egypt at any price…

Philosophy: Castile

Mary, third daughter of Henry VII., after being wooed by the Prince of Castile, was married, from motives of mere state policy, to Louis…

Philosophy: Stanhope

In a similar spirit, the true value of jewels, as souvenirs of affection, is shown in the will of the late Earl Stanhope, in which he gives…

Philosophy: George

Queen Charlotte (consort of George III.) in a confidential conversation with Miss Burney, in 1762, talking of her jewels, said: "I thought…

Philosophy: Walter

An honourable trait of character is related by Froissart of the chivalric Sir Walter Manny, who was taken prisoner in France while…

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