HISTORIC PEARLS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3491, 29 October 1926, Page 3

HISTORIC PEARLS

RFLIC OF NAPOLI ;ojv. JOSFPHIN'B’S WEDDING GIFT. Pearl necklaces are a fertile source of worry—worry to woman who want them, to others who win and lose them, to men who have to pay tor them, and to the police who have to hunt for them. Now a. pearl necklace is getting into the law courts, says a London paper, and soon a magistrate and the bar will have to got busy about a very pretty string with a turquoise clasp. This string has a romantic history. It was given in 1796 by that ardent lover. General Napoleon Bonaparte to Mine. Josephine Beatiharnais wher. (be handsome Creole lieeome the wife of the First Consul. Mmo Bonaparte was destined to receive richer and rarer jewels from Iho hand of her husband, who laler mounted the throne as Bmperor. Hut to the end she preferred that first pearl necklace. and it was round her (hroat when she drew her last breath in the sad Maltnaison villa which was her home after Die historical "Royal Di-

Then Josephine’s dauijhler. Queen Hortensc. inherited the jewel, which later passed from hand lo hand until it became the property of a. wealthy Italian woman, who look it to Paris with her last, winter. For a. month the Baroness stayed in a. hotel in the Champs Klysecs. One night she opened file case, intending to wear Ihe neekla.ee. and. behold, if was gone! Moreover, not withstanding nil tile efforts of 111" police, she has not recovered the precious ornament. Sn now she is bringing an action against Hie hol'd and ihe case was fix-ert to he heard in Paris this month.