V 
390 DIAMOND. 
rats* ; and although it is uncut, Rome de Flsle says 
it is valued at 224 millions sterling. This appears 
to be an incredible sum, and probably this valuation 
is erroneous; but even supposing that to be the case, 
and that we employ the usual methods laid down for 
computing the worth of these jewels, the sum will be 
immense ; as in this way it will amount to at least 
5,644,800 pounds sterling! 
The diamond which is next in value adorns the 
sceptre of the emperor of Russia, and is placed un- 
der the eagle at the top of it. This stone weighs 
779 carats, and is worth at least 4,854,728 pounds 
sterling, although it hardly cost 135,417 guineas. 
A singular history is attached to this diamond. It 
was formerly one of the eyes of a Malabarian idol, 
named Scheringham. A French grenadier, who 
had deserted from the Indian service, contrived to 
become one of the priests of that idol, and, watch- 
ing his opportunity, stole its eye and ran away to 
the English at Trichi napeuty, from whence he car- 
ried it to Madras. A ship captain bought it for 
twenty thousand rupees ; afterwards a Jew gave 
seventeen or eighteen thousand pounds for it: at 
last a Greek merchant, named Gregory Suffras, of- 
fered it to sale at Amsterdam in the year 1766, 
where it was bought by prince Orloff for his sove- 
reign the empress of Russia. The figure and size of 
this diamond is preserved in the British Museum. 
The diamond of the Great Mogul weighs 279 ca- 
* A carat weighs four grains. 
