Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 6/Ana (February 15, 1862)
ANA.
The Marquiss of Westminster's Diamonds.—We have heard people talk of Prince Esterhazy's jewels, but we need not go so far as Austria for some first-rate specimens, English by ownership, though not of home manufacture. It is well known that the insignia of the late Marquis of Westminster were far more splendid than those of any other Knight of the Garter. The jewels that he wore at Court on "collar days" and other grand occasions were of enormous value, and two of them were made heir-looms by his will. Some idea of the value of the entire set may be formed when we state that one of the diamonds which Lord Westminster was accustomed to wear on the pommel of the sword which he used on State occasions cost him no less than 30,000l.
The Alchymist.—During the Seven Years' War, an alchymist offered his services to Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, for the purpose of converting iron into gold. "By no means!" answered the Duke: "I want iron to fight the French, and as for gold, I get it from England. But if you are able to convert mice and rats into calves and oxen, you are my man. The former make great havoc in my military stores; and the latter, I stand in great need of."
Napoleon and the Governor of Sevilla.— "If the town does not surrender," said Napoleon to the governor, "within three days, je la ferai raser."—"Permit me to doubt it," was the quaint reply. "Your Majesty would certainly not like to add to your titles of Emperor of the French and King of Italy, also that of Barber of Sevilla!"