China. 27 



ran about the streets, to the terror and horror of 

 the inhabitants, who in their fright tore off their 

 girdles and anklets, scattering their Pearls and dia- 

 monds upon the ground in all directions. In the 

 same drama, there Is a description of the jewellers' 

 court, the entrance to which was through a gateway 

 of gold and many-coloured gems, on a ground of 

 sapphires, while inside were skilled artists examining 

 Pearls, topazes and other jewels ; some setting rubies 

 in gold, and some stringing Pearls. 



China. 



It appears, from information collected by Mr. F. 

 Hague, that as early as 22-| centuries before the 

 commencement of the Christian era, Pearls were used 

 as a tribute or tax in China, In the " Bh-ya,'' the 

 oldest Chinese dictionary, compiled more than a 

 thousand years B.C., Pearls are mentioned as precious 

 products of the western part of the empire. At 

 first, the Chinese used only fresh-water Pearls. The 

 Emperor Wuti, who lived 140 — ^6, B.C., sent ships 

 to the Indian Ocean for the purpose of procuring 

 Pearls. After the introduction of Buddhism, "moni- 

 Pearls " are often mentioned in Buddhist writings. It 

 is related that in the middle of the nth century, A.D., 

 an embassy was sent by an Indian king to the 

 Court of the Chinese emperor, to pay tribute to 

 him. According to the custom of their country, the 



