all
eager to invest their money in so promising a venture. It is expected
that within a few months the necessary plant will have been erected and
the concern be in working order."

The _Daily Telegraph_ treated the matter from a jocose and historical
point of view.

"It has long been a puzzle to antiquaries and geologists," it remarked,
"as to where those jewels which Solomon brought from the East were
originally obtained. There has been much speculation, too, regarding
the source of those less apocryphal gems which sparkled in the regalia
of the Indian monarchs and adorned the palaces of Delhi and Benares.
As a nation we have a personal interest in the question, since the
largest and most magnificent of these stones is now in the possession of
our most gracious Queen. Mr. Langworthy has thrown a light upon this
obscure subject. According to this gentleman's researches these
treasures were unearthed amidst that dark and gloomy range of mountains
which Providence has interposed between a nascent civilization and a
continent of barbarians. Nor is Mr. Langworthy's opinion founded upon
theory alone. He lends point to his arguments by presenting to the
greedy eyes of the merchants of Tobolsk a bag filled with valuable
diamonds, each and every one of which he professes to have discovered in
these barren inhospitable valleys. This tweed-suited English tourist,
descending like some good spirit among these dreamy Muscovites, points
out to them the untold wealth which has lain for so many centuries at
their feet, and with the characteristic energy of his race shows them at
the same time how to turn the discovery to commercial advantage. If the
deposit prove to be as extensive as is supposed, it is possible that our
descendants may wear cut diamonds in their eye-glasses, should such
accessories be necessary, and marvel at the ignorance of those primitive
days when a metamorphosed piece of coal was regarded as the most
valuable product of nature."

The ordinary British paterfamilias, glancing over his morning paper,
bestowed probably but few passing thoughts on the incident, but among
business men and in the City its significance was at once understood.
Not only did it create the deepest consternation amongst all who were
connected with the diamond industry, but it reacted upon every other
branch of South African commerce. It was the chief subject of
conversation upon the Stock Exchange, and many were the surmises as to