The Fairy Tree, or Stories from Far and Near (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861 Excerpt: ...the lovely lands where the palm-tree, the plantain, and the maize were the best riches of the simple inhabitants, were alike unsparing beneath the waters, and alike ruthless to the miserable race of Pearl-fishers. The poor Indians, insufficiently fed, and forced into the sea half senseless with cruel blows, oftentimes never reappeared, falling a helpless prey to the hungry sharks; while the Pearlbanks themselves, unceasingly stripped of their shells, soon became exhausted. Land and water, cursed by the Spaniards' greed of gain, alike lay desolate. "Not so in the East. The Pearl-fishery of the Arabian Catifa (the modern El Katiff), more lian eighteen centuries ago supplied Cleopatra with Pearls for her boastful cup (one reckless draught costing upwards of 80,000), and was still prosperous in the seventeenth 'century. From thence was produced the matchless pearshaped Pearl which was purchased by the Shah of Persia for 110,000, and proudly displayed by him to the French jewel merchant, 'avernier. At Bahrein, in the Persian Gulf, also renowned in times past, is the largest Pearl-fishery in the world. The annual amount of wealth which it pours into the city is estilated at 240,000. The Looloo Isles are also famous for their shells of Mother-of-pearl. "The Arabs love their ' Looloo' best when she has a golden tinge. They say she is then ripe, and will never change colour. The pure white 'Mootie' of the Hindoo, after which they name the queenliest of their temple domes, liable to darken with age. "But I have yet to tell you of my own especial birth-place. Who has not heard of an enchanting isle, the fond natives of which boast themselves of its having been the site of Eden--that garden of delight that man no more may reach, but thr...