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one sees the blow given, for the slightest error may prove fatal 

 to the value of the diamond for ever ; but it is given without 

 hesitation and with perfect composure. The future of a rough 

 diamond is very much at the mercy of the splitter; for it is he 

 who decides what shape the stone is to take, and how the flaws 

 and other imperfections are to be removed so as to retain the 

 utmost weight with the most brilliant effect. The split dia- 

 mond is next passed to the cutter, who operates upon two 

 stones at the same time, each being cemented into wooden 

 handles. These he grinds together, so as to accomplish their 

 mutual smoothing. His labour, which is of a very heavy 

 description, has given rise to the saying, ' diamond cut dia- 

 mond.' The cutter, having roughly fashioned the diamond 

 into the desired form, passes it to the polisher, whose business 

 it is to smooth the rough parts which the cutter has formed, 

 and to give each a bright polish. The diamond is first em- 

 bedded with great care and judgment in an oval mass of tin 

 and lead to serve as a support, this in its turn being fixed into 

 a brass cup, which is provided with a handle. The polishing 

 wheel consists of a disc of steel, revolving in a horizontal 

 direction at a speed of 2,000 revolutions per minute. The po- 

 lishing is effected by smearing this wheel with diamond powder 

 and oil, and then pressing each part of the diamond against it. 

 The eyes of the polishers seem of little use compared with their 

 sense of touch, which has been exquisitely educated. It is by 

 the instinct of their finger ends that the point of the diamond 

 is adjusted with determinate exactness of position to the face of 

 the revolving disc. 1 ' 



It is now time for me to tell you the histories of some of the 

 more celebrated diamonds, several of which are quite romances) 

 and unfortunately, too often tragic ones. Of course such a 

 theme has not escaped the notice of the novelist, and in support 

 of my statement I need only remind you of Wilkie Collins's 

 celebrated book " The Moonstone," the plot of which is con- 

 cerned with the diamond which is now in possession of the 

 Russian Crown, and is called the Orloff. It is the most re- 

 markable of the Crown jewels of Russia, and forms the end of 



