CHAPTER XVIII. 



On the Value of Pearls. 



" So pray you add my 

 Diamonds to her Pearls." — 



Tennyson's Elaine. 



N order to shew how the value of Pearls 

 has varied in this country at different 

 periods, the following extracts are given 

 from the writings of recognized authorities. It is 

 interesting to compare the several estimates, and 

 mark the rise and fall at different times within the 

 last two centuries. 



Value of Pearls, A.D. 167 1. 

 The following Table is extracted from " The 

 History of Jewels," printed by T. N., for Hobart 

 Kemp, at the sign of '* The Ship," in the New 

 Exchange, 1671. The author, who does not give 

 his name says : — " One curious and intelligent in 

 these matters furnished me with the following rule 

 for the price of Pearls according to their weight." 



