The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-08-02

anu quhllty OF the piece. Inc omcer Of
the Government generally fixes the value
beyond what the goods are in reality worth,
and the duty levied on this estimate is
one.flth. Most shawls are exported from
Cachmere uhwashed and fresh from the
loom. Amritser is the great shawl mart,
and they are better washed and packed |
than 10 Cachmere; but Of those sent to the |
Westward, many are worn unwashed.
The Pearl Fisheries of the Persian Gulf.
The early history Of the pearl fisheries
in the Gulf Of Oman is lost in the mists
Of an almost prehistoric period, when the
beauties Of Nineveh and Babylon used to
deck their hair with the produce Of these
still prolific shoals. Pliny distinctly al.
ludes to the pearls procured thence as the
most highly valued. 1t Is difficult TO ar.
rive at an approximately correct estimate
Of the amount and value Of the annual
yield Of pearls nowadays, for those engaged
in the trade have an interest in concealing
the extent Of their profits, aud with an ar
ticle Of so little bulk this is easy Of accom-
plishment. The return Of export Of pearls
from the Persian Gulf and Muscat are
thus Of small independent value, and re-
quire to be checked from other sources of
information. Col Il. G. Ross, the British
resident in the Persian Gulf has recently
pointed out that, comparing the returns Of
exports from the Gulf to India, with the
imports recorded at the Calcutta, Bombay
and kuraehi Custom Houses, if for ''treas-
urc, be read "pearls, the totals cores
pond very nearly, and that, as it is known
that no specie has been available for ex-
port to India during the last few years,
this conjecture may not be amiss. This
would fix the value of the trade at 49,.
00O, 600 approximately.
Captain Il. l.. Durand, First Assistant
Political Resident, Persian Gulf, has re-
Gently prepared an interesting paper on the
subject Of these pearl fisheries, from which
it appears that they are regularly worked
by the maritime tribes Of Ears and Oman,
and afford sustenance to about 81, 900 fam
! ilies, who Sre thne reclaimed from piIaoy
and plumber. The British protectorate,
which extends over the Gulf, ensures the
peaceful prosecution of this industry pi-
racy is abolished, and inter.tribal difficult
ties are referred to the Resident, whose
decision is final. Two taxes, called ''Nob"
and "Traz," are, however, levied by the
maritime sheikhs; and, though the amount
realized thereby is uncertain, there is good
ground for supposlng that II Is consider.
ble
The trade is really in the hands of the
Indian bunnias-traders who are found
fourishing far beyond the confines of
British India, but generally where our ma
tional flag affords them security in their
dealings. The bunnia makes pecuniary
advances to the nakhoda or headman Of
the boat by supplying him with every ne.
eessary Of clothes, food aud tobacco re-
quired for the trip; and these supplies 20
down in the bunnias ledger at his own
valuation. On his return the headman
hands over his packet of pearls to be val
ued in the gross, and the bunnia takes
them at discount Of 20 per cent, often
paying for as much Of the balance as he
can in goods and stores, over which he
makes from 90 to 25 per cent. profit Al
togtther, the arrangements are favorable
for the accumulation Of much wealth by
these 'canny'' traders. The crew consists
Of the nakhoda or master, who often owns
the boat himself the sebs or haulers, who
are usually Bedouins, but sometimes Per
slams, and whose duty 1t is to work the
ship, handle oars and sails, and pull up
divers; and the "ghoas," or divers, who
are generally Sedees or poor Arabs, or Se-
dee slaves. The ghoas viii 90 on diving
all day, if the weather be fair, merely ia.
king short rests in the water to recover
breath and strength. As rule, they do
not remain below longer than so to 20
seconds. These men are very abstemious.
They eat about half pound Of dates in the
morning and drink three or four cups Of
coffee after morning prayers, and they be-
Gin fishing at sunrise. About two o oelock
they all come out Of the water for coffee.
prayers, and siesta, which lasts for about
an hour, when they go to work again un-
til sundown. AT night they eat hearty
meal Of roast fish aud dates, aud strike
work for the day. From eight TO twelve
iathoms is the usual depth at which the
work is carried on, though a good diver
has been known to 60 down as deep as
sixteen fathoms--a depth, however, which
is unsupportable to most men. The di.
ver's equipment is weight for the feet.
pair Of horn pincers for bis nostrlls, a rope
round his waist, and leather tips to bis
fingers to save them from abrasion. When
deyil-6sh arc more than usually prevalent
in the vicinity the diver puts on long
white shirt as protection against their
burning embraces. Accidents from sharks
or dogfish are said to be unknown. As a
rule, however numerous the shells may be.
man cannot gather more than fifteen or
sixteen per dive. The incessant pluneinq
entails sundry diseases, such as madness,
cramps, paralysis and soltening Of the
skin, besides minor ailments.
There are three fishing seasons---in the
spring, summer and winter, during which
aforementioned season only wnding In shal.
lows Is attempted. The pearl oyster Is
found in all the waters OF the Gulf, but
the best beds lie on the Arab side. between
tho 24th and 9th degree Of north lati-
tude, and 50th and 55th degrees east lon
gitude, between Shiltaye and Sir-beni Y as
Island, at distance from one to ninety
miles from the shore. But the deeplsea
banks are not much fished ill the ''she.
NAL, or nor'westers Of June, which are
peculiarly sudden, severe and Of certain
yearly recurrence, have spent their force.
Il has been asserted that tho yield Of
1 these fisheries is decreasing, bat Capt Du.
rand is inclined to discrcdit the statement.
The divers are too wise, he remarks, to
kill the goose with the golden eggs they
! often say aThat win do for another year