on the Comx}ay» 133 



small pebbles, and the pearls, which settle in the bottom. After 

 numerous washings, until the fishy part is entirely removed, 

 the sediment, if I may so term it, is put out to dry, and each 

 pearl separated on a large wooden platter, one at a time, with 

 a feather ; and when a sufficient quantity is obtained, they are 

 taken to the overseer, who pays the fisher so much per ounce 

 for them. The price varies from I5. 6^. to 45. ; there are a 

 number of persons who live by this alone ; and where there 

 is a small family to gather the shells and pick out the fish, 

 it is preferable to any other daily labour. The pearls are 

 generally a dirty white, sometimes blue, but never, I be- 

 lieve, green or reddish. I have sent you a few specimens 

 25 (^^'25.), and I leave you to describe them. 



^<^ I cannot with accuracy say how many ounces 



^^ ^ are taken to the overseer each week, though 

 I might say that there are some scores. But 

 what makes this fishery the more singular 

 is the mystery which hangs over it. At present it is a per- 

 fect monopoly, and there is but the one who buys them up 

 that knows what becomes of them afterwards. It has been 

 carried on in this manner for many years ; and as such a 

 thing, if made public, might prove more beneficial to the 

 neighbouring poor, by causing a higher price to be given for 

 the pearls, through competition, it would be very desirable if 

 any of your numerous correspondents could throw some light 

 on this interesting subject. There have been some curious 

 and fanciful surmises, which may not be thought worth men- 

 tioning. Some suppose that the pearls are sent abroad to be 

 manufactured into seed pearls : others, more gravely^ that they 

 are exported to India to be dissolved in the sherbet of the 

 Nabobs ! ! However, at present it is a mystery ; and not- 

 withstanding the pains taken and the expense incurred by 

 some liberal gentlemen in endeavouring to find out the secret, 

 it is as great a mystery as ever. The huts which have been 

 erected for the convenience of boiling the fish, are on the ex- 

 tremity of the marsh, about a mile north of the town of Conway. 

 The pearls are seldom found here much larger than the en- 

 closed specimens, though about twelve miles up the river, they 

 have been found occasionally as large as a moderate-sized pea, 

 and have been sold for a guinea the couple, but they are 

 very rarely met with. When I say that the price vai'ies from 

 \s. 6d. to 45., I do not mean to say that they are valued 

 according to their size, for the large and small pearls are all 

 sold together ; but some years ago they were as high as 4%' 

 now they are only 2s. per ounce. Yours, &c^ 



Nov. 27. 1829. D, C, 



K 3 



