278

VERNAL JOURNEY TO ASTRAKHAN.

cafh, one fifth part of which was to be payable on demand, andthe remainder in the fpace of ten years, by regulär inftalments.The capricious Shafrafs likewife claimed the honour of nobi-lity for his brothers, and various other immunities or advan-tages, and perfifted fo obftinately in his demands, that thenegotiation was fruftrated, and the diamond returned.

Shafrafs was now in great perplexity. He had involvedhimfelf in expences, was obliged to pay intereft for confiderablefums he had borrowed, and there was no profpeä: of fellingthe jewel to advantage. His negotiators left him in that per-plexity, in order to profit by his mifmanagement. To elude hiscreditors, he was obliged to abfcond to Aftrakhan. — At length,the negotiation with Ruflia was recommenced by Count Gri-gory Grigorievitfh Orlof, who was afterwards created a Princeof the Empire; and the diamond was purchafed for fourhundred and fifty thoufand rubles ready money, together withthe grant of Ruffian nobility. Of that fum, it is faid, onehundred and twenty thoufand rubles feil to the fhare of thenegotiators, for commiffion, intereft, and fimilar expences.Shafrafs fettled at Aftrakhan, and his riches, which by inherit-ance devolved to his daughters, have, by the extravagance ofhis fons-in-law, been in a great meafure diflipated.