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Superstitions: Louis

A similar silver box for the same purpose, and about the same date, formerly belonged to Horace Walpole, and is now in the possession of J. Rainey, Esq. At the execution of Louis de Luxembourg, Constable of France in the reign of Louis XI. (remarks Monstrelet), he said, addressing Master John Sordun, "Reverend father, here is a stone that I have long worn round my neck, and which I loved much for its virtue of preserving the wearer from all poisons and pestilence; which stone I beg you to bear to my young son, to whom you will say that I entreat he will be careful of it, for love of me." The friar promised to obey his wishes. After the execution, however, the stone, by order of the chancellor, was delivered to the King.

The virtues of these stones fell short in the power of preserving its wearer from a violent death.