THE MYSTIC JEWEL BIRD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 71

THE MYSTIC JEWEL BIRD.

When Queen Amelie entered the Banqueting Hall on the King's arm on the night of the first State dinner-party, her first look was towards the buffei, where the celebrated gold plat© had befn avrangeo. in the blaze of splendour whic'i is said to outshine that of any other Court in Europe. The huge salv-ers, the goblets, the candelabra have been described so often, and, in truth, have so many counterparts in other collections, that of themselves th-ey would not specially attract the Portuguese Queen's notice. But she apked if the mystic jewelled bird was among the glories there displayed, and King Edward immediately ordered that it should be brought and placed in a conspicuous place on the table, that the Queen might gaze upon it at her leisure. When, cis a girl, Amelie de France first visited Windsor Cast!.?, that bird was the object of her profoundest admiration. In fact, it positively fascinated her romantic soul. And Queen Victoria, who also had a strong strain of romance in her nature, quite understanding her young guest's feelings, ordered the bird to be placed in the sitting room set apart for the Comtesse de Paris and her young daughter, in order that the Piincess might make a sketch of the treasure. There, are many legends woven about that bird. The Hindoos call it "Umi," and they say that whoever owns the Uma must reign over India. It is supposed to have the gift of locomotion, and it alights, they ia.x, upon the head of whomsoever it endows with Royal power. flic truth is that the bird was taken from the canopy above the throne of Tippoo Sahib, and presented by the directors of the East India Company to George HI. It is about 12 inches long, and is shaped like a pigeon with an exaggerated tail. Rubies, brilliants, emeralds, and pearls are sown about the quivering feath-ers of filagree golden-work ; it holds a priceless .ruby in its beak, and an emerald of great size and lustre hangs from its breast. The bird shares with the Koh-i-Noor the superstitious regards of the Hindoos. The' fact that both the Uma and the great diamond are owned by King Edward makes it almost a matter of course for the native Princes to acknowledge him as their liege lord It may be a bitter and bewildering thing, this rule of an alien from the West ; but the Powers above have willed it so, and pious souls must bow in submission to the fiat of Fate. While the Uma folds its wings ii the Castle by the Thames, and while the Koh-i-Xoor blazes in the English crown, there is nothing else to do but to be as good subjects of the Emperor Edward as may be. It is the will of the gods !