away.
The putrid molluscs now remained in a mass under the water ; and this
was kneaded by the men, (who must not, without permission, remove their
hands from the tub during the operation). Every few minutes a man,
churning the filthy mixture, would come upon a pearl, and would hand it
over. This continued until the whole mass of material had been broken
up, when it was removed in cloths, and left in the sun to dry. Even
when such drying had taken place the smell was horrible ; and among
these unsavoury remains it was necessary to search for the smaller
pearls which had escaped notice during the washing. The quantity thus
discovered was quite extraordinary; and, though the majority of these
secondhand pearls proved small, or misshapen, yet a few good pearls
appeared amongst them. " I do not think that after a few days at the
fishery it is possible ever to regard these beautiful jewels with the
same admiration as before." " One remembers, when looking at their
wonderful refinement, and splendour, the ghastly corruption in which
they are discovered." " One remembers, also, that they are but a
disease, a kind of tumour, epidemic in certain places : and, though the
pearl itself shines bright, and clear, among the filth in which it is
first seen, one does not forget how many days must pass before the
foetid odour of putrid flesh finally leaves it clean, and pure, and fit
to be agreeably worn."
Pearls
are made round, and polished, only by pearl-dust ; the best of these
gems being pear-shaped, like the famous jewel which Cleopatra, Queen of
Old Egypt, recklessly proud, and prodigal, is said to have drunk in a
royal draught of vinegar thus rendered priceless.
Pearls are subject to a strange malady, which disease
