32 Pearls 



of the Pearl fisheries of the Persian Gulf is given 

 by the Greek historian, Isidorus of Charace, in his 

 description of the Parthian empire. 



Palestine, &c. 



There can be but little doubt that the ancient 

 Hebrews valued Pearls, and used them for orna- 

 mental purposes. Probably they obtained them by 

 commerce with the neighbouring nations, especially 

 the Phoenicians. Yet it is notable that the Hebrew 

 word, gabish, translated " Pearl " in our English 

 version, occurs only once in the Old Testament. 

 "No mention shall be made of coral, or of Pearls, 

 for the price of wisdom is above rubies," (Job 

 xxviii., 1 8). Even here it is highly probable that 

 the word rendered as Pearl really applies to rock- 

 crystal, or some other substance than Pearl. 



The Talmud contains many references to 

 Pearls, and we may quote one legend showing that 

 at that time there was but one object in nature 

 worthy to be ranked higher than Pearls. 



On approaching Egypt, the patriarch Abraham, 

 aware of the fascinating beauty of his wife, Sarah, 

 hid her in a chest, that none might behold her 

 charms. But when he was come to the place of 

 paying custom, the officer said " Pay custom," and 

 he answered, " I will pay thee custom." Then they 



