r Stone of Destiny.

From an early period of history man has regarded precious stones as
objects of uncommon virtue. A belief in their excellence has prevailed
among Pagans, Jews, and Christians down to the present period.
Extravagance in jewellery originated not so much from a love of finery
as from a belief that jewels possessed efficacy or power peculiar to
themselves. When we consider that every gem is supposed to be an
amulet, we cannot be surprised at hearing of people in distant lands
wearing jewels on their fingers and toes, on their ankles and arms, in
their noses and ears, and even in their lips; nor can we be astonished
at seeing in modern times the weaker sex loaded with rings, bracelets,
pendants and other such articles, studded with precious stones.

As a language of flowers is known among botanists, so there is a
significance in relation to gems, understood by the credulous. Every
stone has its virtue, at least so we are told, as surely as every
light and shadow produces its own effects. Important events connected
with the lives of great men and memorable circumstances desired to be
kept in remembrance, help to lend importance to sparkling gems and
less ornamental stones. This will be better understood as we proceed.

Descendants of Abraham believed, as will be found under "Rise and
Progress of Superstition," that their great ancestor wore, suspended
from his neck, a precious stone the sight of which cured every
disease. An interesting legend is also given there concerning Abraham
and the stones marching, ready hewn, to find a place in the Kaaba he
was about to build; of the black stone left out, which afterwards
became so famous; and of the stone to which Abraham tied the beast he
rode on when going to sacrifice his son. In that part of our work it
will also be ascertained that altars were called living stones, from a
belief that a portion of divine spirit resided in them.

Josephus and others maintain that the precious stones of Aaron's
breast-plate were the Urim and Thummim, and that they discovered or
predicted the issue of events to those who consulted them; and the
Rabbins held that the rod of Moses consisted partly of sapphire. At
page 27 it will be seen that the Greeks wore charmed rings, and at
pages 7 and 58 we have stated that priests sold charms to credulous
persons. At page 280 we have noticed the custom of negro children
being provided with sacred rings and belts, to protect them from e