26 DECEMBER 1891, Page 3

The " Imperial " Diamond case in Calcutta has ended

in what seems to outsiders a most unsatisfactory way. The Nizam, according to his own statement, asked Mr. Jacob, the jewel-merchant of Simla, to bring him the "Imperial," an immense but unknown diamond, promising, if he approved the stone, to purchase it for £420,000. Mr. Jacob asked for 2230,000 to enable him to procure the atone, and that sum was paid into his hands. He, as he declares, handed most of it to the owners of the diamond, and took the stone to Hyderabad, where it was rejected. The Nizam, however, could not get back his deposit-money, and at last instituted criminal proceedings. They have failed, the jury most probably thinking the case a civil one, and the 2230,000 only a debt ; but the total result is, that Mr. Jacob holds the diamond, that somebody has the £230,000, and that the Nizam recovers neither diamond nor money. We have not an idea who is in fault, but clearly the Nizam has found, if his statement is correct—and it reads entirely truthful--very scanty justice.