one of the stones to be put in the ephod 

 of the high priest; also as one of the 

 gems worn by the King of Tyre and 

 as forming one of the "gates of the Holy 

 City. Curiously enough, the gem re- 

 ferred to in these instances was the mod- 

 ern chrysolite, while where chrysolite is 

 spoken of our Topaz is usually meant. 



A Topaz presented by Lady Hilde- 

 garde, wife of Theodoric, Count of Hol- 

 land, to a monastery in her native town, 

 emitted at night, according to legend, a 

 light so brilliant that in the chapel where 

 it was kept prayers could be read at night 

 without the aid of a light ; a statement 

 which might well be true if the monks 

 knew the prayers by heart. 



The spiritual qualities associated with 

 Topaz are fruitfulness and faithfulness. 



It is also said to confer cheerfulness upon 

 its wearer. The ancients believed that 

 it calmed the passions and prevented bad 

 dreams ; that it discovered poison by be- 

 coming obscured when in contact with 

 it ; that it quenched the heat of boiling 

 water, and that its powers increased and 

 decreased with the increase and decrease 

 of the moon. Also a Topaz held in the 

 hand of a woman at childbirth was be- 

 lieved to lessen suffering. Lastly, a To- 

 paz is the gem of the month of Novem- 

 ber : 



"Who first comes to this world below 

 With drear November's fog and snow 

 Should prize the topaz's amber hue, 

 Emblem of friends and lovers true." 



Oliver Cummings Farrington. 



THE BIRTH OF THE HUMMINGBIRD. 



It was born in a valley of violets 

 Where bird and flower for its favor vied, 

 Its father a poppy gone stark mad, 

 Its mother a reckless honey bee, 

 (True child of such startling pedigree) 

 Its cradle a sunbeam glorified. 



It was bathed in a dewdrop morn by morn 



And when the time for the christening came, 



The font was filled with a jeweled flame; 



Glitter of gems dissolved in mist, 



White of diamond, its changing light, 



Ruby, emerald, amethyst, 



And its christening robe was encrusted quite. 



Nelly Hart Woodworth. 



220 



