And this will much lessen the wonder of all the formerly
mention'd Observations, by shewing that the properties that are so strange
are not peculiar to one Diamond, but may be found in others also, and
perhaps in divers other hard and_ Diaphanous _Stones. Yet I hope that what
this Discovery takes away from the Wonder of these Observations, it will
add to the Instructiveness of them, by affording pregnants Hints, towards
the Investigation of the Nature of Light._
[43] We afterwards, try'd precious Stones, as Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires,
and Emeralls, &c. but found not any of them to Shine except some
Diamonds, and of these we were not upon so little practice, able to
fore-tell before hand, which would be brought to Shine, and which would
not; For several very good Diamonds, either would not Shine at all, or
much less than others that were farr inferiour to them. And yet those
Ingenious Men are mistaken, that think a Diamond must be foul and cloudy,
as Mr. _Claytons_ was, to be fit for Shining; for as we could bring some
such to afford a Glimmering Light, so with some clear and excellent
Diamonds, we could do the like. But none of those many that we try'd of
all Kinds, were equal to the Diamond on which the Observations were made,
not only considering the degree of Light it afforded, but the easiness
wherewith it was excited, and the Comparatively great duration of its
Shining.
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