Ceylon Pearl Fisheries. 187 



the beds were left unmolested. Neither had there 

 been any fishing between 1732 and 1746. It is 

 said that in 1797 the fishing right was purchased by 

 a native of Jaffna, named Candappa Chetty, for the 

 sum of ;^i 10,000, and that in 1798 he again rented the 

 fishery, paying on this occasion ;^i40,ooo ; but the 

 author, after much experience in the value of Pearl- 

 fisheries, is inclined to doubt this statement: perhaps 

 it does not refer to pounds sterling. 



With reference to the famous fishery of 1797, 

 and the rent paid for it, reference may be made to 

 an interesting paper published by Mr. Le Beck, 

 in the volume of Asiatic Researches for the following 

 year : — 



" From the accounts of the former Pearl- 

 fisheries at Ceylon, it will be found" says the 

 writer, "that none have ever been so productive 

 as this year's. It was generally supposed that the 

 renter would be infallibly ruined, as the sum he 

 paid for the present fishery was thought exorbitant, 

 when compared with what had been formerly given ; 

 but this conjecture in the event, appeared ill-founded, 

 as it proved extremely profitable and lucrative. 



*' The farmer this time was a Tamul merchant, 

 who for the privilege of fishing with more than the 

 usual number of donies or boats, paid between two 



