were the rage in Rome and women adorned themselves lavishly with them, a custom which drew violent protests from the philosopher Seneca who, alluding to a lady who wore several pearls dangling from each ear, told her husband that his wife “carried all the wealth of his house in her ears.” [Illustration: HOROSCOPE OF MARY OF SCOTLAND Pearls would be considered unfortunate for these rival Queens. ] In the extravagant intoxication of the rich banquet which Kleopatra VII (Tryphena the Great) gave to the honour of Mark Anthony, it is related that this queen—the last of the Ptolemies—throwing one of her valuable pearls into a vinegar solution, swallowed it. The value of this gem is set down as £80,729 sterling. Its companion afterwards graced the statue of the Pantheon Venus at Rome. Kleopatra was not alone in this act of folly for we are informed that Clodius, son of Æsopus the actor, swallowed a pearl valued at £8072 sterling. Caligual, the Roman Emperor, added this act also to his many acts of stupidity. He too enjoyed the reputation of a “pearl swallower,” which title in the reign of Queen Elizabeth was also coveted by Sir Thomas Gresham who quaffed off a large pearl at a banquet which the Queen attended after visiting the Royal Exchange. The poet Hey wood alludes to this act in the lines: “_Here £15,000 at one clap goes Instead of sugar: Gresham drinks the pearl Unto his Queen and mistress._” [Illustration: HOROSCOPE OF ELIZABETH OF ENGLAND Pearls would be considered unfortunate for these rival Queens. ] Neither pearls nor diamonds were fortunate for Mary Queen of Scots, yet she wore both in profusion. Her wedding dress at her marriage with Philip of Spain is described as being “richly bordered with great pearls and diamonds,” whilst she wore the great diamond which Philip had sent to her by the Marquis de las Traves. Mary’s nativity favours few jewels but none less than diamonds, pearls and rubies. History relates that, when in the days of her sorrows the Scottish Queen was held captive by the rapacious Earl of Moray, this man who owed her so much sent her exquisite parure of pearls with other costly jewels by his agent, Sir Nicholas Elphinstone to Queen Elizabeth at London.