ROMANCE OF A PRECIOUS STOWE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9371, 13 February 1909, Page 7

ROMANCE OF A PRECIOUS STOWE.

The Ruskinite doctrine that wealth consists in the possession of goods that we can use is Illustrated in a story which was told by Major J. K. Sankey, of the Queensland Government Office, in the Strand (states a London journal), where the magnificent blue topaz is on sale In which the Queen took special interest when she saw it at the FrancoBritish Exhibition, remarking: “What a beautiful thing it is. It is like a drop of limpid sea water.” Professor Sketchley, the eminent geologist, once visited a remote mining camp in North Queensland. His attention was arrested bv. a crystal which lay exposed to view on a box, and be was surprised to to be told ’by fa miner that it was kept as a missile ready to be thrown at a dog which might steal some meat. The miner responded to the professor’s expression of surprise by laughingly telling him to put the stone in his pocket. He did so, and this is the gem which, after being cat, was pronounced to be the largest blue topaz of last century, and is now to be seen in the Strand. Once the jewel nearly came into the possession of the King. An arrangement was made for his Majesty to inspect it, with a view to purchase. But the sudden illness which postponed the Coronation, also prevented the appointment being carried out.