JEWELS AND A FETISH. 327 



armour, gold shields, gold caparisons for elephants, gold 

 housing for horses, gold cooking pots — in fact, gold 

 everything, except a large bath, which is only of silver. 



The jewels are splendid. One necklace of pearls is made 

 in ten rows, the lowest reaching to the waist, and from each 

 row hangs a big emerald at least three inches long. Three 

 rows of huge emeralds pierced and strung like beads make 

 another neck ornament. A third consists of a string of large 

 round pearls, from each of which hangs a pear-shaped pearl 

 as big as a pigeon's egg. There are four necklaces of enormous 

 diamonds, and any number of aigrettes, tiaras, bracelets, and 

 anklets — in fact, every personal ornament you can think of. 

 To a European eye the jewels, especially the emeralds, are 

 spoilt by being uncut. Even the diamonds are flat, and lack 

 the sparkle and shine of brilliants. 



None of these lovely things are locked away in cases ; 

 and what makes it more fascinating to a woman, one can 

 handle them, and examine their beauties closely. The 

 brightest jewel seen through a glass loses some of its 

 attraction ; and even the Royal Regalia in the Tower might 

 be mere coloured glass and tinsel, viewed as it is at a 

 distance, behind barricades and gratings. 



We were also shown a little common-looking shell, on 

 which great store is set. It only differs from others of its 

 kind (not worth a farthing) in that its inward curl bends to 

 the right instead of to the left. Of course it is a fetish, and 



