growing, to dream of an opal was regarded as an indication of great possessions, of the favour of ladies and people of influence, and—if the stone be dark—of sudden happenings of a beneficial nature. Another modern superstition says that it is not fortunate to set opals and diamonds together in jewels. Quabalistically, opals and diamonds are set down as particularly harmonious stones which, in combination, have a fortunate and positive-negative influence. Astrologically the diamond is attached to the zodiacal signs Aries, Leo and Libra, and the opal to Leo, Libra and Aquarius, and astrology is absolutely the special guide to talismanic construction. The fine fiery opal known as the “Burning of Troy” given by Napoleon to Josephine, is sometimes quoted as evidence of the evil power of opals. It rather provides peculiar testimony in favour of old talismanic lore. This opal was lost and has never since been found—opals would be regarded as unfavourable for Josephine. Passing over trivial superstitions containing neither truth nor interest, we may conclude this section with the story of the Grand Opal of Spain which is said to have brought disaster to the Royal House: [Illustration: HOROSCOPE OF ALFONZO XII Astrologically the opal would be accounted unfortunate for this King. ] When Alfonzo XII of Spain was a wanderer he was deeply attracted by, and fell in love with the Comtesse de Castiglione, then a reigning beauty. Immediately Alfonzo became King the Comtesse hastened to greet him with the fond desire to become his queen. However, when she found that he had set her aside and married the Princess Mercedes her anger knew no bounds. Resolving on revenge, she sent Alfonzo “in memory of the old friendship” a wedding present of a magnificent opal set in a filagree ring of gold—a style of mounting in great favour with the jewellers of Spain. The delicacy of the jewel so attracted Queen Mercedes that she asked the King to grace her finger with it. A few months afterwards she died of a mysterious illness and Alfonzo gave the ring so admired by her to Queen Christina, his grandmother, whose death shortly followed. The King then presented the ring to his sister the Infanta Maria del Pilar, who was in turn carried off by the same mysterious illness. A few weeks afterwards the King’s sister-in-law, the youngest daughter of the Duc and Duchesse de Montpensier, who had asked the King for the ring also died. The King then placed it on his own finger and in a little time the same illness which had affected his wife and kindred ended his troubled earth-life. After these calamities Queen Christina attached the ring to a chain of gold and set it about the neck of the patron saint of Madrid, the Virgin of Alumdena. Ancient philosophy would have depreciated the wearing or giving of an opal by Alfonzo XII of Spain. At this time it must be remembered that cholera was raging throughout Spain—over 100,000 people died of it during the summer and autumn of 1885.