Rare Gems And Their Value

Mr. Gilson has reoently concluded a journey round the world, which he made tor the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the trade in gems. In an article in the St. Petersburg Gazette he states the resuit of his investigations. Diamonds he found at a lower rate than they had reached in ten years past. Pearls and emeralds are, on the other hand, at a premium. An opal the sízr of an average olive would bring in New York, at the present time, about$180; a sapphire of the same size would bring $1,350; an emerald, $7,500; a diamond, $13,500 ; and aruby, 137,500. In Europe these gems would rank somewhat difl'orently, opals and sapphires rating higher and emeralds lower. Pearls are now brought from Central África, California and the Persian Gulf, but none of them rival those of the East Indies. About $5,250,000 of diamonds are annually imported from South America into Europe, and the same into Ameriua. Many of these are of good size, and most have a yellowish tinge. In consequence of this importation, diamonds of the same hue have fallen 75 per cent. in the inarket. They would have fallen still lower were it not that the enormous fortunes realized in America through petroleum and military contracts have created an excessive demand. But this eftect upon the value of the stones may be considered merely temporary. A similar depreciation in their price occurred at the discovery of the diamond mines in Brazil - Go conda having previously supplied the inarket - but they soon gained their value. " My father was a farmer before me, and I thank God that I am a farmer born." 8uch was the soap Portur expected to soothe the grangers with on the Fourth of July last. It reminded Col. Geo. Stanley of an Illinois orator who addressed a rural audience : " Gentlemen," said he, " I am proud to be one of you. My father was a farmer, and I am a farmer born. Yes, I may truly say, I was born between two rows of corn." At this juncture a tipsy agriculturist at the fuither end of the house hic-coughed out : " A (hio) pumkin, by - ! - Eldorado Ledger. NOVEL Draft.- A lank, hungry looking Mili Creeker stepped into the Marshall (Ind.) Bank, a few days since, and accosted Mc. with, " Do you keep drafts here, mister?" " Yes, sir," replied the polito and dulcet toned Mac. " What be they worth ?" queried the Mili Creeker. " Owing to the size entirely, sir." "Well, I guesa I've got meana enough to get one about a foot square. Make her stout as blazes, Cap, for it's for the old woman's back, and I want it to draw hei doublé."