Ceylon Pearl Fisheries. 187
the
beds were left unmolested. Neither had there been any fishing between
1732 and 1746. It is said that in 1797 the fishing right was purchased
by a native of Jaffna, named Candappa Chetty, for the sum of £110,000,
and that in 1798 he again rented the fishery, paying on this occasion
£140,000 ; but the author, after much experience in the value of
Pearl-fisheries, is inclined to doubt this statement: perhaps it does
not refer to pounds sterling.
With
reference to the famous fishery of 1797, and the rent paid for it,
reference may be made to an interesting paper published by Mr. Le Beck,
in the volume of Asiatic Researches for the following year :—
"
From the accounts of the former Pearl-fisheries at Ceylon, it will be
found" says the writer, "that none have ever been so productive as this
year's. It was generally supposed that the renter would be infallibly
ruined, as the sum he paid for the present fishery was thought
exorbitant, when compared with what had been formerly given ; but this
conjecture in the event, appeared ill-founded, as it proved, extremely
profitable and lucrative.
"
The farmer this time was a Tamul merchant, who for the privilege of
fishing with more than the usual number of donies or boats, paid
between two
