A CHAPTER ON DIAMONDS. 



51 



ers whicli are in existence. The oriental tradition of tlie " Moun- 

 tain of Light" being an emblem of power and dominion can be 

 easily understood in its full force, when we consider that it could 

 only be under the most serious disasters, or when the imperial trea- 

 sury was in a state of greatest difficulty — in fact, when an empire 

 was on the brink of ruin — that so precious a stone would be part- 

 ed with. Hence it may with justice be considered to be an em- 

 blem of prosperity and dominion ; and, as the brightest jewel in 

 Queen Victoria's crown, there can be little doubt of its remaining, 

 what it has ever been, a brilliant token of power and ascendancy. 



