948 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



education.' ' The pearl,' says Elihu Burritt, ' was sent to a 

 lapidary, who estimated its value at five hundred dollars ! 

 Let it glitter in the diadem of a crowned head, and that 

 boy's mind be enriched with jewels whose lustre shall 

 outlive and outshine the light of diamonds, and he will 

 have parted with it for a pearl of greater price.' 



The passion for pearls was at its height about the 

 period when Roman freedom was extinguished, and in the 

 imperial city pearls were valued as highly as precious 

 stones. A pearl, celebrated in Pliny's time, was bought by 

 Tavernier for ^10,000. In Asia this taste was of more 

 ancient date, nor has it ever declined. 



A string of pearls of the largest size is an indispensable 

 part of an Eastern monarch's decorations. It was thus 

 that Tippoo was adorned when he fell before the gates of 

 his capital ; and the rulers of Persia have for ages been 

 similarly decorated. Shakespeare gives us the following 

 colloquy : 



" Cleopatr-i, How goes it with my brave Antony ? 

 Alexas. Last thing he did, dear queen, 



He kiss'd the last of many doubled kisses 

 This orient pearl ; his speech sticks in my heart. 

 Cleopatra. Mine ear must pluck it thence. 

 Alexas. ' Good friend,' quoth he, 



Say, the Roman to great Egypt sends 

 This treasure of an oyster.' : 



Again, the poet says :- 



" Honesty dwells like a miser in a poor-house, as your pearl in 

 your foul oyster." 



Having so far exhausted the subject of the Pearl 

 Oyster I hope to the satisfaction of the reader, I must 

 now conclude this Chapter with a few remarks upon the 

 said oyster's near relations. 



