The Queen has resolved to have the Koh-i-noor diamond recut,
so as to snake it a more brilliant ornament than it was in the Crystal Palace. Lapi- daries and jewellers were consulted on the feasibility of recutting the gem, and it was at length decided to attempt it. The Koh-i-noor is now in the hands of Messrs. Garrard, of Penton Street, the Crown jewellers. A small steam-engine has been erected for the work of cutting, and two Dutch artists will be employed upon the task for months. Yesterday week, the Duke of Wellington inaugurated the process. The Koh-i-noor having been imbedded in lead, with the exception of one small salient angle, intended to be first submitted to the cutting operation, his Grace placed the gem upon the scaife, an horizontal wheel, revolving with almost incalculable velocity, whereby the exposed angle was removed by the friction, and the first facet of the new cutting was effected. The Koh-i-noor is intended to be converted into an oval brilliant, and the two smaller diamonds which accompany it are to be similarly treated as pendants. The pregent weight of the principal gem is 186 carats ; and the process now in progress will not materially diminish its weight, while it will merearle its value and develop its beauties. a
The street post-letterbox plan is beginning to be adopted in Paris. A
box has just been set up in the Place Leuvois.
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