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The Akbar Shah, or Jehan Ghir Shah: Francisco
XXIX. THE RIO DAS VELHAS A Treasure of Brazil--Found in the famous Diamond Province of Minas-Geraes. ALMOST as little is known of this gem as of the "Star of Diamonds." It was found about the year 1852, in the Rio-das-Velhas (Guaicuti), a large river flowing from the Paraupeba Mountains, through the province of Minas-Geraes, Brazil, northwards to the the right bank of the San Francisco. In the absence of any further information it is interesting to identify the locality of the river which gives the gem its title. The upper branches of the San Francisco rise on the north of the Serra-das-Vertentes, 3,000 feet above the sea. They are principally the Paraupeba, and that more properly called the S. Francisco, which unite after a course of above 150 miles in 19 degree 20' S. lat. The river then flows in a northerly direction to its junction with the Rio-das-Velhas. Before this, however, it forms the cataracts of Pirapora. The Rio-das-Velhas rises in the neighbourhood of Villa Rica on the northern declivities of the Serra Mantiqueira, and runs upwards of 250 miles. It is not unlikely that the stone under notice may have travelled down the San Francisco to the point where it was eventually found. We hope at a future day to trace its wanderings since those pre-adamite days when nature first set it adrift in the "troubled waters."
XXX. THE BAZU.
A Product of the Kollur Mine--Cleavage and Flaws--A Risky and Unprofitable Speculation.
BEFORE the cleavage this stone, which Tavernier procured in the Kollur mine, weighed 104 carats. Although of fine water, it seemed to be so foul in the middle, that, being of large size and held at a high price, none of the Banians (native traders) would venture to purchase it. At last a Dutchman named Bazu was bold enough to do so, and having had it cleaved there was found in the interior as much as eight carats weight of impurities, which had the appearance of decayed vegetable matter. The smaller portion remained pure with the exception of a few almost imperceptible blemishes. But as to the other portion, the flaws passed right through it, and it had to be divided into seven or eight pieces. Bazu ran a great risk in having this stone cleaved. The operation might have broken it into a hundred pieces. Even as it was he made a bad bargain, which shows plainly enough that "where the Banians refuse to bite, there is not much hope for the Franks."
XXXI. THE RAULCONDA.
Cutters at Work in a Mine--A Notable Operation THIS stone takes its name from the mine where it was discovered. There is nothing sufficiently salient in its history to suggest a more appropriate title. Tavernier mentions the stone in his account of the Raulconda mine, where he saw it in the process of being cut. "In this mine," he says, "there are a number of cutters, each of whom has only one wheel, which is of steel, and about the size of an ordinary dinner plate. They place one stone only on each wheel, which they moisten incessantly with water until they have found the grain of the stone. Then they take oil, and do not spare the diamond dust, which is very cheap, to make the stone run the quicker, and they also charge it much more than we do. I have seen 150 lbs. of lead placed on one stone, though it was certainly a very large one, which remained at 103 carats after having been cut, and the mill was like ours, the large wheel of which was turned by four blacks." The site of Raulconda mine will be found identified in our introductory chapter.
XXXII. THE HASTINGS.
In the Early Days of our Eastern Empire--National Ingratitude--A Georgian Scandal--Cruel Caricature--The Power of Diamonds.