As to the theological conjecture appended to it in my previous communication, about which Quæstor particularly questions me, I can only say, that if he deems it rash or wrong, I have no right to throw the blame of it on any other man's shoulders, as I am not aware of its having been hazarded by any one else. But I hope he will agree with me, that if there has been a disruption of a planetary world, it cannot have arisen from any mistake or deficiency in the Creator's work or foresight, but should be respectfully regarded as the result of some moral cause.
Henry Walter.
EMBLEMATIC MEANINGS OF PRECIOUS STONES (Vol. viii., p. 539).—PLANETS OF THE
MONTHS SYMBOLISED BY PRECIOUS STONES (Vol. iv., pp. 23. 164.).
The Poles have a fanciful belief that each month of the year is under the influence of a precious stone, which influence has a corresponding effect on the destiny of a person born during the respective month. Consequently, it is customary, among friends and lovers, on birth-days, to make reciprocal presents of trinkets ornamented with the natal stones. The stones and their influences, corresponding with each month, are supposed to be as follows:
| January | Garnet. | Constancy and fidelity. |
| February | Amethyst. | Sincerity. |
| March | Bloodstone. | Courage. Presence of mind. |
| April | Diamond. | Innocence. |
| May | Emerald. | Success in love. |
| June | Agate. | Health and long life. |
| July | Cornelian. | Contented mind. |
| August | Sardonyx. | Conjugal felicity. |
| September | Chrysolite. | Antidote against madness. |
| October | Opal. | Hope. |
| November | Topaz. | Fidelity. |
| December | Turquoise. | Prosperity. |
The Rabbinical writers describe a system of onomancy, according to the third branch of the Cabala, termed Notaricon, in conjunction with lithomancy. Twelve anagrams of the name of God were engraved on twelve precious stones, by which, with reference to their change of hue or brilliancy, the cabalist was enabled to foretel future events. Those twelve stones, thus engraved, were also supposed to have a mystical power over, and a prophetical relation to, the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and twelve angels or good spirits, in the following order:
| Anagrams. | Stones. | Signs. | Angels. |
| יהוה | Ruby. | Aries. | Mulchediel. |
| יההו | Topaz. | Taurus. | Asmodel. |
| יוהה | Carbuncle. | Gemini. | Ambriel. |
| הוהי | Emerald. | Cancer. | Muriel. |
| הויה | Sapphire. | Leo. | Verchel. |
| ההיו | Diamond. | Virgo. | Humatiel. |
| וההי | Jacinth. | Libra. | Zuriel. |
| ויהה | Agate. | Scorpio. | Barbiel. |
| הוהי | Amethyst. | Sagittarius. | Adnachiel. |
| היהו | Beryl. | Capricornus. | Humiel. |
| והיה | Onyx. | Aquarius. | Gabriel. |
| היוה | Jasper. | Pisces. | Barchiel. |
These stones had also reference to the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve parts of the human body, twelve plants, twelve birds, twelve minerals, twelve hierarchies of devils, &c. &c. usque ad nauseum.
It is evident that all this absurd nonsense was founded on the twelve precious stones in the breast-plate of the High Priest (Exodus xxviii. 15.: see also Numbers xxvii. 28., and 1 Samuel xxviii. 6.). I may add that in the glorious description of the Holy City, in Revelation xxi., the mystical number twelve is again connected with precious stones.