The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-07-23
From the Panama Herald, June sih.l /
PR6RL FFsHFRrEs OF THE PACIFIC

/ H. =.
rection Of the Spanish governments, beng eolf
sidere5 tbe same as the gold and silver mines;
Fisbermen were allowed the privilege y
diving for peaFls by paying 10 the government
dutS called quinto, that is, five per cent q
their earnings. ss,-.ll.o;.
Soon after this country threw Off her alegi-
anee 10 Spain. and assumed independent pow
ers as part Of the repnone, t5e ~ tE"ra5
f;sbin9 was abolished pearls being consldere9
a. M 1aural products of the sea, and like All
! otber fish. free to ALL There Is nov, no duty
! reonired-every man enjoys the same privilege
(, tcommon with another, and is entitled to all
ne results Of his labor. He can dive any
where in the waters Of the bay, and is protect
ed in his possession Of all he can, in this way,
acquire.
The most extensive and valuable fisheries
are those Of the Pearl Islands These islands
were formerly called Has del Rey. or Kings
Islands, aud are so laid down aud denominated
on the old maps. They are now called kas
des Perlas. The business is chiefly carried
on in the Archipelago Of these islands, which
number from sixty to seventy. The princi-
pal island is called San Miguel. 1t has town
Of the same name, containing a population of
about 1900 inhabitants. All Of these islands are
more rless inhabited, and most Of them have
become private property. San Miguel being
largest, isowned by large number Of persons.
There are at this time from twelve 10 fifteen
hundred persons engaged in the pearl fisheries
Of these islands. Thevalue Of thepearls taken
varies from $50 900 to $3.50 600 per. annum,
| seldom less than 800 900, besides from nine
hundred to one thousand tons Of pearl shells,
averaging $40 900 in value. These shells
were formerly esteemed as worthless, but re-
Gently they have become the chief article Of
export from this country, being worth from
thirty to forty dollars ton.
Diving for pearls is an interesting, and at
the same time dangerous pursuit. The diver
generally dives in from three to seven fathoms
Of water, and brings up 9t each dive from six
to twelve shells. They dive at low water al
ways. as the diving ground at high water has
been cleared Of the shells. They usually
work from two hours and half to three hours,
during which time they dive from twelve to
fifteen times. The best divers remain under
water from fifty eight to sixty lone seconds;
but the most of them can only remain under
from forty five to fifty seconds. 1t is alto
gether mistaken idea that has gone abroad,
aud is now currently believed that pearl divers
can remain under water ten and fifteen min
utes We have conyersed with distinguished
gentleman of this city, who has been engaged
in the pearl trade upwards of thirty years,
upon this point, and he assures us that the very
longest time he ever knew diver to remain
under water, was sixty -one seconds, and that
he was induced to do so by the promise Of re-
ward Of two or three ounces, (doubloons,l
The pearl oyster is used for food, and re-
sembles the sand-clam Of the Atlantic coast.
The fishermen and the natives use it both
fresh when lust taken, and when preserved by
being parboiled and dried. 1t is exceedingly
palata6le and is esteemed as very good, sub
stantial food. The preparation Of preserving
the oyster in this manner is very simple, and
the oyster, after being preserved, is strung on
astring, and hung up in cool dry place. 1t
keeps a long time, and can afterwards be cook
ed in a variety of ways as fancy, custom, or
appetite may suggest.
The pearl is considered to be disease Of
the oyster. 1t is generally found in its flesh,
although sometimes it has been found adhe-
ring to the side of the shell. Upon opening
the oyster, the diver uses great precaution to
prevent the pearl from dropping out, should
/ the oyster contain one
The price Of pearls vary according to their
purity, shape and weight-say from ten dol
lars to five thousand per ounce. From five
hundred to fifteen hundred dollars are very
frequently paid here for single pearls not
weighing more than three -sixteenths Of an
ounce.
An English company some years since OBJ
tanned privilege to fish with diving bells, but
the enterprise proved total failure in cOnse-
quence of the uuevenness of the bottom. Since
then, no attempt Of a similar character has
been made nor has any machinery or apparatus
ever been used to bring up the shells.
No doubt whatever exists as to the great
abundance of the pearl-oysters in the waters
Of the Archipelago. though at so great depth
as to defy the skin of the diver. BY means of
a submarine armor, or by the use Of proper
machine constructed for the purpose, in con-
nection with submarine armOr, we have no
doubt that fortune could be realized i'll a very
short time. The shells, alone, which could be
thus obtained, would defray any outlay for
such an apparatus and all the expenses attend
ing its operations. And, as it is the belief of
many, sanctioned by the experience Of old div
ers that the best and largest pearls are found
in deep water, it is but fair to presume that
the yield would be highly profitable.
An extensive privilege could readily be OBJ
tanned from the Provisional Chambers for the
use of such an apparatus, and we know of moth
ing to hinder the successful prosecution Of an
enterprise of this kind. We know a gentle
man Of wealth and high respectability, residing
in this city, who would be willing to unite
with a competent person, or with company,
to engage in such an enterprise, and whose IA
cilites and knowledge on the subject are un-
egualed for all practical purposes.
The Pearl Islands are considered remarkably
heatny, quite IefJle, producing all tne Ordl-
nary fruits and vegetables of the country and
the Inhabitants who arc mostly black, are
kind hospitable, and inoffensive.
some years ago, as the late Rev. DR.. Pringle
of Perth, was taking walk one summer after
noon, two young beaus took it into their heads
to break Jest upon the old parson. Walking
briskly up to him, and making their bow po-
htely, they asked him if he could tell them
the color Of the devils wig The worthy cler-
gyman, surveying them attentively few Sc
cOnds, made the following reply :-"Truly,
here is most surprising case Two men have
served master all the days of their life and
don t know the color of his wig !"
"Ha0ing in my youth says celebrated
Persian writer notions of severe piety, | used
to rise in the night to watch pray, and to read
the Koran. One night, whilst deeply engaged
in these exercises, man of practical virtue
awOke whilst | was reading. Behold-said
to him-thy other children are lost in irreli-
gious slumber, whilst alone awake to praise
God. Son of my soul, he answered, 1T is
better to sleep than to wake to remark the
faults Of thy brethren.