I admitted the proposition, and my friend went on.

"Gold is the most precious of all metals, and it must, therefore,
correspond to the most precious attribute, or quality of the mind.
What is that attribute?--and what is that quality?"

"Love," said I, after a pause, "Love is the most precious attribute
of the mind--goodness the highest quality."

"Then, it is no mere fancy to say that gold corresponds to love, or
goodness. It is pure, and ductile, and warm in color, like love;
while silver is harder, and white and shining, like truth. Gold and
silver in nature are, then, as goodness and truth in the human soul.
In one we find the riches of this world, in the other divine riches.
And if gold and silver correspond to precious things of the mind, so
must brilliant jewels. The diamond! How wonderful is its affection
for light--taking in the rays eagerly, dissolving them, and sending
them forth again to gladden the eyes in rich prismatic beauty! And
to what mental quality must the diamond correspond? As it loves the
sun's rays, in which are heat and light--must it not correspond to
the affection of things good and true?--heat being of love, and
light of truth or wisdom? The wearer of diamonds, then, should have
in her heart the heavenly affection to which they correspond. She
should be loving and wise."

"It will not do to make an estimate in this way," said I. "The
measure is too exacting."

"I will admit that. But we cannot help thinking of the quality when
we look upon its sign. With a beautiful face, when first seen, do we