It would really appear as if the Police were powerless
against those who steal only jewels, and that the mere possession of them is an invitation to burglars. At a great wedding some months ago, the presents, chiefly jewels, were watched as rigor- ously as a condemned convict, and by gentlemen as well as police ; and now it appears that Lady Rosebery's jewels, having been mentioned in the papers, are regularly marked down. According to the Times, an attempt was made on Wednesday to carry them off from Petworth House, of all unlikely places, and very nearly succeeded. At dinner - time, as usual, two men entered her ladyship's dressing-room by a ladder, and would have carried off the jewels in safety, but that they were enclosed in a strong iron case, instead I of being left on the table. The robbers could not break the case quickly, their figures were seen on the blind by a man-servant from the outside, who had the sense to ring the alarm-bell, and they de- camped without booty. No clue, however, has been obtained to their identity. These robberies must be committed by men of education, not suspected when they make inquiries, and ac- quainted with jewels, a subject on which the lower classes, as a rule, are absolutely ignorant. The soldiers in China sold great emeralds for shillings.
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