24 



of that which finds such ready sale when imported to 

 America from Italy. 



Even among the wealthy winter residents there would 

 soon be found a good market for these objects, and I do 

 not fear to predict that in a few years they would enter 

 largely into the exports of an increasing commerce. 



It would be necessary at first, perhaps, to expend a little 

 capital, but in a year or so this will be easily repaid. A 

 director and two competent teachers is all the staff needed 

 at first, and be it observed that the best school of art for 

 working men at Munich, began on no more extensive scale. 

 In a short time the school, I am sure, will become self- 

 supporting, and not only a benefit, but a subject of intelli- 

 gent pride to the islanders, a means perhaps of developing 

 artistic genius of a high order, and also of procuring a 

 respectable and intellectual livelihood to many persons who 

 otherwise might be useless, for the artistic temperament is 

 one which, if not properly utilized, is very apt to rapidly 

 degenerate. I believe I am right in saying that many who 

 have visited Nassau have been much struck by the evident 

 presence of this temperament among the coloured popu- 

 lation, and there are many now in New Providence able to 

 speak with authority on this point. 



The pink pearls from the Strombns Gigas have attracted 

 much attention and admiration, and so prominent an exhi- 

 bition of them has already resulted in increased demand 

 and enhanced prices. 



Many of my fellow colonists will recollect the imprison- 

 ment of a Frenchman, Mortimer by name, for selling what 

 were called imitation pearls. He had discovered the 

 secret of the origin of the pearl, and by a clever contriv- 

 ance aiding the Strombus in developing its treasure. I do 

 not know the grounds on which he was imprisoned, but 



