92 THE OYSTER. 



just as white and just as good. Common magnesia 

 would have the same effect; but, good sirs, if an old 

 Emir, or rich Bonze, wishes to pay an enormous price 

 for something to swallow to comfort his good old inside, 

 why not ? Do not let us brag too much : fi'om the 

 time of old Gower, doctor of physic, to Dr. Cheyne, 

 we have, sir, swallowed everything, from toads' brains 

 to the filings of a murderer's irons, as very proper 

 physic. 



The Bahrein fishery-boats amount to 1500, and the 

 trade is in the hands of merchants who possess much 

 capital. This they lend out at cent, per cent. ; they buy 

 up, and they beat down ; they juggle, cheat, rig the 

 market, rob in a legal way a whole boat's crew, grow 

 enormously rich, and preach morality. 



^Nor do they forget superstition. In the chief boat, 

 when they fish, sits a jolly old cheat, a magician, called 

 the binder of sharks, who waves about his skinny hands, 

 jumps, howls, incants, and otherwise exerts his cabalistic 

 powers, and will not allow the divers, nor are they 

 willing, to descend till he declares the moment pro- 

 pitious. To add some weight to their devotions, they 

 debar themselves of food or drink during this Ifumho- 

 Juniho play, but afterwards a species of toddy makes 

 them like ^' Roger the Monk," — " excessively drunk." 



The true shape of the peaii should be a perfect sphere. 

 In India, and elsewhere, those of the largest size find 

 the readiest sale, and realize immense prices. The very 

 finest pearls are sent to Europe, and of these the very 

 finest of the fine are sent to London and Paris. Thence 

 the great people of the land procure their choice speci- 



