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Superstitions: Elizabeth

Faith in the virtues of certain precious stones for the cure of diseases was transmitted from early ages to a comparatively late period. In the church of Old St. Paul's, London, was a famous sapphire given by Richard de Preston, citizen and grocer of that city, for the cure of infirmities in the eyes of all those thus afflicted who might resort to it. In reference to Queen Elizabeth's assumed power of healing scrofulous patients by the royal touch, it was said by Vaughan, Bishop of Chester, that "she did it by virtue of some precious stone in the possession of the crown of England, that possessed such a miraculous gift." "But," observes Harrington, drily, "had Queen Elizabeth been told that the bishop ascribed more virtue to her jewels (though she loved them well) than to her person, she would never have made him Bishop of Chester."

A wonderful stone was supposed to be found in the brain of a Vulture, which gave health to the possessor, and successful results to those who petitioned for favours. The eagle-stone was another lusus naturae as to its supposed virtue and origin, being only found in the nests of eagles which could not breed without their aid. Dioscorides gives us a curious account of its use in the detection of larceny; all the suspected persons being called together, flour was kneaded up in their presence, sprinkled with the powder of the stone; a certain incantation was to be repeated at the same time. The paste was then rounded into balls as large as eggs, and then given to each with a little drink, the guilty person found it impossible to swallow a mouthful, and choked in the attempt. It is singular that the Hindoos still employ a similar ordeal, in which rice is the test. The guilty conscience, has, no doubt, more to do with this miracle than the bolus itself. The eagle-stone, which is described as of a scarlet colour, rendered its owner amiable, sober, and rich, and preserved him from adverse casualties.