Gentola--They are indeed wonderfully beautiful gems. It is a delight to only look at them. You say that oriental rubies are a species of sapphire. Why, I supposed that all sapphires were blue. And this, you say, is an oriental amethyst, which also is of the sapphire family. I fear that you think me, as indeed I am, very ignorant in this direction. Hugh Miller--My dear madame, we do not expect you to be learned as to the varieties or qualities of these collections of gems; I am only concerned in instructing you for a purpose. The blue varieties are the true sapphires, as they alone possess both quality and color. They bear to both the oriental amethyst and ruby the same relation that the true white diamond bears to stones off color. Gentola--Pardon me if I am interrupting you. Here is a gem--that one resting on the white cushion--that is so large, so radiantly beautiful, that one can imagine it of Celestial origin. Is it not a true sapphire? Yes? Ah, I thought so; it possesses such a living radiance. Since I have learned that gems are both Spirit and matter, I shall admire them all the more. How very lovely those rainbow-hued gems are; are they not opals? Hugh Miller--Yes, they are opals, in whose depths the Spirit of the gem glows like fire. Some persons regard these gems as uncanny. Some time I will tell you something uncanny concerning them. No, not now; it would be unwise. A sober-minded scientist would declare that it is through the arrangement of the silicious matter largely composing these gems that the iridescent effects are produced. Such an assertion would be but part of a fact. Spirit is infinite in its modes of expression, and were it withdrawn from those gems, bits of flint would be quite as valuable as those glowing, scintillating jewels, which are lovely enough to adorn the Crown of an Empress. Now, madame, what do you suppose these green gems are? Emeralds? No, they are beryls; and these are aqua marines; they are of the same family, the aqua marines being the transparent variety. Yes, both are pretty stones. In this adjoining compartment is an admirable collection of--but perhaps you know what they are. Gentola--From their color I should think that they are topazes. I do not greatly admire yellow jewels. Hugh Miller--Do not make the mistake of thinking that all topazes are yellow, for there are other colors of the same gem, but the pellucid yellow stone is considered the most desirable variety. These are garnets, and are fine specimens of the stone. Here are deep red ones holding in their hearts imprisoned flames and yellow stones like bits of sunshine. And here are green, brown and black varieties, all more or less attractive and useful for various purposes. The next compartment contains carbuncles and some of them are beautiful enough to grace a coronet. Yes, there is a resemblance between the carbuncle and the red garnet, but their qualities are dissimilar.