Royal _Virtuoso_ _Francis_ the first) yet both the one and the other of
those Princes imploy'd him much about making of their Noblest Jewels. What
is now reported concerning a Shining Substance to be seen in one of the
Islands about _Scotland_, were very improper for me to mention to Sr.
_Robert Morray_, to whom the first Information was Originally brought, and
from whom I expect a farther (for I scarce dare expect a convincing)
account of it. But I must not omit that some _Virtuoso_ questioning me the
other day at _White-Hall_ about Mr. _Claytons_ Diamond, and meeting amongst
them an Ingenious _Dutch_ Gentleman, whose Father was long Embassador for
the Netherlands in _England_, I Learn'd of him, that, he is acquainted with
a person, whose Name he told (but I do not well remember it) who was
Admiral of the _Dutch_ in the _East-Indies_, and who assur'd this Gentleman
_Monsieur Boreel_, that at his return from thence he brought back with him
into _Holland_ a Stone, which though it look'd but like a Pale Dull
Diamond, such as he saw Mr. _Claytons_ to be, yet was it a Real Carbuncle,
and did without rubbing shine so much, that when the Admiral had occasion
to open a Chest which he kept under Deck in a Dark place, where 'twas
forbidden to bring Candles for fear of Mischances, as soon as he open'd the
Trunck, the Stone would by its Native Light, shine so as to Illustrate a
great part of it, and this Gentleman having very civilly and readily
granted me the request I made him, to Write to the Admiral, who is yet
alive in _Holland_, (and probably may still have the Jewel by him,) for a
particular account of this Stone, I hope ere long to receive it, which will
be the more welcome to me, not onely because so unlikely a thing needs a
cleer evidence, but because I have had some suspition of that (supposing
the truth of the thing) what may be a shining Stone in a very hot Countrey
as the _East-Indies_, may perhaps cease to be so (at least in certain
seasons,) in one as cold as _Holland_. For I observ'd in the Diamond I send
you an account of, that not onely rubbing but a very moderate degree of
warmth, though excited by other wayes, would make it shine a little. And