4. Notices of Pawnbroking in Italy. France, &c. The practice of advancing money to the poor, either with or without interest, seems to have been occasionally followed in antiquity. (Beckmann, vol. iii. p. 14. 1st Eng. ed.) But the first public establishments of this sort were founded in Italy, under the name of Monti di Pietà, in the 14th and 15th centuries. As it was soon found to be impossible to procure the means of supporting such establishments from voluntary contributions, a bull for allowing interest to be charged upon the loans made to the poor was issued by Leo X. in 1521. These establishments, though differing in many respects, have universally for their object to protect the needy from the risk of being plundered by the irresponsible individuals to whom their necessities might oblige them to resort, by accommodating them with loans on comparatively reasonable terms. And though their practice has not, in all instances, corresponded with the professions they have made, there seems no reason to doubt that they have been, speaking generally, of essential service to the poor. From Italy these establishments have gradually spread over the Continent. The Mont de Piété, in Paris, was established by a royal ordinance in 1777; and after being destroyed by the Revolution, was again opened in 1797. In 1804, it obtained a monopoly of the business of pawnbroking in the capital. Loans are made, by this establishment, upon deposits of such goods as can be preserved, to the amount of two thirds of the estimated value of all goods other than gold and silver, and to four fifths of the value of the latter. No loan is for less than 3 franes (2s. 6d.). The advances are made for a year, but the borrower may renew the engagement. Interest is fixed at the rate of one per cent. per month. The Mont de Piété has generally in deposit from 600,000 to 650,000 articles, worth from 12,000,000 to 13,000,000 francs. The expense of management amounts to from 60 to 65 centimes for each article; so that a loan of 3 franes never defrays the expenses it occasions, and the profits are wholly derived from those that exceed 5 francs. At an average the profits amount to about 280,000 francs, of which only about 155,000 are derived from loans upon deposit, about 125,000 being the produce of other funds at the disposal of the company. In some respects, particularly the lowness of interest upon small loans, and the greater vigilance exercised with respect to the reception of stolen goods, the Mont de Piété has an advantage over the pawnbroking establishments in this country. It may be doubted, however, whether it is, on the whole, so well fitted to attain its objects. The limitation of the loans to 3 francs would be felt to be a serious grievance here, and it can hardly be otherwise in France; nor is it to be supposed, that the servants of a great public establishment will be so ready to assist poor persons, having none but inferior articles to offer in security, as private individuals anxious to get business. And such, in point of fact, is found to be the case, not in Paris only, but in all those parts of the Continent where the business of pawnbroking is confined to a few establishments. And hence, though the question be not free from difficulty, it would seem that, were the modifications already suggested adopted, our system would be the best of any. For further information with respect to this curious and interesting subject, the reader is referred to the Traité de la Bienfaisance Publique of Degerando, iii. 1-55.; besides giving a succinct historical notice of Monts de Piété, the learned author has discussed most part of the knotty questions connected with the proper organisation of these establishments, and with their influence on society, with equal sagacity and ability. PEARL-ASH. See POTASH. PEARLS (Du. Paarlen; Fr. Perles; Ger. Perlen; It. Perle; Lat. Margaritæ ; Rus. Shemtschug, Perlü; Sp. Perlas; Arab. Looloo; Cyng, Mootoo; Hind. Mootie), are well known globular concretions found in several species of shell-fish, but particularly the mother-of-pearl oyster (Concha margaritifer Lin.). Pearls should be chosen round, of a bright translucent silvery whiteness, free from stains and roughness. Having these qualities, the largest are of course the most valuable. The larger ones have frequently the shape of a pear; and when these are otherwise perfect, they are in great demand for ear-rings. Ceylon pearls are most esteemed in England. Value, &c. of Pearls.-Pearls were in the highest possible estimation in ancient Rome, and bore an enormous price. - (Principium culmenque omnium rerum pretii, margaritæ tenent.-Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. x. c. 35.) Their price in modern times has very much declined; partly, no doubt, from changes of manners and fashions; but, more probably, from the admirable imitations of pearls that may be obtained at a very low price. According to Mr. Milburn, a handsome necklace of Ceylon pearls, smaller than a large pea, costs from 170l. to 300l.; but one of pearls about the size of peppercorns may be had for 151.: the pearls in the former sell at a guinea each, and those in the latter at about 1s. 6d. When the pearls dwindle to the size of small shot, they are denominated seed pearls, and are of little value. They are mostly sent to China. One of the most remarkable pearls of which we have any authentic account was bought by Tavernier, at Catifa, in Arabia, a fishery famous in the days of Pliny, for the enormous sum of 110,000l.! It is pear-shaped, regular, and without blemish. The diameter is 63 inch at the largest part, and the length from 2 to 3 inches. Much difference of opinion has existed among naturalists with respect to the production of pearls in the oyster; but it seems now to be generally believed that it is the result of disease, and is formed in the same manner as bezoar - (see BEZOAR); pearls, like it, consisting of successive coats spread with perfect regularity round a foreign nucleus. In fact, the Chinese throw into a species of shell-fish (mytilus cygneus, or swan muscle), when it opens, 5 or 6 very minute mother-of-pearl beads strung on a thread; and in the course of a year they are found covered with a pearly crust, which perfectly resembles the real pearl.- (Milburn's Orient. Com.; Ainslie's Mat. Indica, &c.) Pearl Fisheries. The pearl oyster is fished in various parts of the world, particularly on the west coast of Ceylon; at Tuticoreen, in the province of Tinnevelley, on the coast of Coromandel; at the Bahrein Islands, in the Gulph of Persia; at the Sooloo Islands, off the coast of Algiers; off St. Margarita, or Pearl Islands, in the West Indies, and other places on the coast of Colombia; and in the Bay of Panama, in the South Sea. Pearls have sometimes been found on the Scotch coast, and in various other places. The pearl fishery of Tuticoreen is monopolised by the East India Company, and that of Ceylon by government. But these monopolies are of no value; as in neither case does the sum for which the fishery is let equal the expenses Incurred in guarding, surveying, and managing the banks. It is, therefore, sufficiently obvious that this system ought to be abolished, and every one allowed to fish on paying a moderate licence duty. The fear of exhausting the banks is quite ludicrous. The fishery would be abandoned as unprofitable long before the breed of oysters had been injuriously diminished; and in a few years it would be as productive as ever. Besides giving fresh life to the fishery, the abolition of the monopoly would put an end to some very oppressive regulations, enacted by the Dutch more than a century ago. Persian Gulph. The most extensive pearl fisheries are those on the several banks not far distant from the island of Bahrein, on the west side of the Persian Gulph, in lat. 26° 50′ N., long. 51° 10′ E.; but pearl oysters are found along the whole of the Arabian coast, and round almost all the islands of the gulph. Such as are fished in the sea near the islands of Karrak and Corgo contain pearls said to be of a superior colour and description. They are formed of 8 layers or folds, whilst others have only 5, but the water is too deep to make fishing for them either very profitable or easy. Besides, the entire monopoly of the fishery is in the hands of the sheik of Bushire, who seems to consider these islands as his immediate property. "The fishing season is divided into two portions the one called the short and cold, the other the long and hot. In the cooler weather of the month of June, diving is practised along the coast in shallow water; but it is not until the intensely hot months of July, August, and September, that the Bahrein banks are much frequented. The water on them is about 7 fathoms deep, and the divers are much inconvenienced when it is cold; indeed, they can do little when it is not as warm as the air, and it frequently becomes even more so in the hottest months of the summer. When they dive, they compress the nostrils tightly with a small piece of horn, which keeps the water out, and stuff their ears with bees' wax for the same purpose. They attach a net to their waists, to contain the oysters; and aid their descent by means of a stone, which they hold by a rope attached to a boat, and shake it when they wish to be drawn up. From what I could learn, 2 minutes may be considered as rather above the average time of their remaining under water. Although severe labour, and very exhausting at the time, diving is not considered particularly injurious to the constitution; even old men practise it. A person usually dives from 12 to 15 times a day in favourable weather; but when otherwise, 3 or 4 times only. The work is performed on an empty stomach. When the diver becomes fatigued, he goes to sleep, and does not eat until he has slept some time. At Bahrein alone, the annual amount produced by the pearl fishery may be reckoned at from 200,000l. to 240,000Z, If to this, the purchases made by the Bahrein merchants or agents at Aboottabee Sharga, Ras-ul Khymack, &c. be added, which may amount to half as much more, there will be a total of about 300,000Z. or 360,000Z.; but this is calculated to include the whole pearl trade of the gulph; for it is believed that all the principal merchants of India, Arabia, and Persia, who deal in pearls, make their purchases, through agents, at Bahrein. I have not admitted in the above estimate much more than one sixth of the amount some native merchants have stated it to be, as a good deal seemed to be matter of guess or opinion, and it is diflicult to get at facts. My own estimate is in some measure checked by the estimated profits of the small boats. But even the sum which I have estimated is an enormous annual value for an article found in other parts of the world as well as bere,, and which is never used in its best and most valuable state, except as an ornament. Large quantities of the seed pearls are used throughout Asia, in the composition of majoons, or electuaries, to form which all kinds of precious stones are occasionally mixed, after being pounded, excepting, indeed, diamonds; these being considered, from their hardness, as utterly indigestible. The majoon, in which there is a large quantity of pearls, is much sought for and valued, on account of its supposed stimulating and restorative qualities. "The Bahrein pearl fishery boats are reckoned to amount to about 1,500, and the trade is in the hands of merchants, some of whom possess considerable capital. They bear hard on the producers or fishers, and even those who make the greatest exertions in diving hardly have food to eat. The merchant advances some money to the fishermen at cent per cent., and a portion of dates, rice, and other necessary articles, all at the supplier's own price; he also lets a boat to them, for which he gets one share of the gross profits of all that is fished; and, finally he purchases the pearls nearly at his own price, for the unhappy fishermen are generally in his debt, and therefore at his mercy."-(Manuscript Ñotes communicated by Major D. Wilson, late Political Resident at Bushire.) The fishery at Algiers was farmed by an English association in 1826, but we are ignorant of their success. The pearl fisheries on the coast of Colombia were at one time of very great value. In 1587, upwards of 697 lbs. of pearls are said to have been imported into Seville. Philip II. had one from St. Margarita, which weighed 250 carats, and was valued at 150.000 dollars. But, for many years past, the Colombian pearl fisheries have been of comparatively little importance. During the mania for joint stock companies, in 1825, two were formed;--one, on a large scale, for prosecuting the pearl fishery on the coast of Colombia; and another, on a smaller scale, for prosecuting it in the Bay of Panama and the Pacific. Both were abandoned in 1826. The best fishery ground is said to be in from 6 to 8 fathoms water. The divers continue under water from a minute to a minute and a half, or at most 2 minutes. They have a sack or bag fastened to the neck, in which they bring up the oysters. The exertion is extremely violent; and the divers are unhealthy and short-lived. PEARL SHELLS, Commonly called Mother-of-pearl shells, are imported from various parts of the East, and consist principally of the shells of the pearl oyster from the Gulph of Persia and other places, particularly the Sooloo Islands, situate between Borneo and the Philippines, the shores of which afford the largest and finest shells hitherto discovered. On the inside, the shell is beautifully polished, and of the whiteness and water of pearl itself: it has the same lustre on the outside, after the external laminæ have been removed. Mother-of-pearl shells are extensively used in the arts, particularly in inlaid work, and in the manufacture of handles for knives, buttons, toys, snuff-boxes, &c. The Chinese manufacture them into beads, fish, counters, spoons, &c. ; giving them a finish to which European artists have not been able to attain. Shells for the European market should be chosen of the largest size, of a beautiful pearly lustre, thick and even, and free from stains. Reject such as are small, cracked or broken, or have lumps on them. When stowed loose as dunnage, they are sometimes allowed to pass free of freight.--( Milburn's Orient. Com.) The imports during the 3 years ending with 1842 amounted, at an average, to about 950,000 lbs. a year. PEAS (Ger. Erbsen; Fr. Puis; It. Piselli, Bisi; Sp. Pesoles, Guisantes; Rus. Goroch). The pea is one of the most esteemed of the leguminous or pulse plants It is supposed to be indigenous to the south of Europe, and was cultivated by the Greeks and Romans, the latter of whom probably introduced it into Britain. There are many varieties; but the common garden pea (Pisum sativum), and the common grey or field pea (Pisum arrense), are the most generally cultivated; being reared in large quantities in all parts of the country, particularly in Kent. But since the introduction of the drill husbandry the culture of the pea as a field crop has been to a considerable extent superseded by the bean. Sometimes, however, it is drilled along with the latter; for, being a climbing plant, it attaches itself to the bean, so as to adinit the ground being hoed; at the same time that the free admission of air about its roots promotes its growth. It is not possible to frame any estimate of the consumption of peas. The field pea is now hardly ever manufactured into meal for the purpose of being made into bread, as was formerly the ease in many parts of the country; but there is reason to think that the garden pea is now more extensively used than ever. - (Loudon's Ency. of Agriculture; Brown on Rural Affairs, vol. ii. p. 72. For an account of the laws regulating the importation, &c. of peas, see CORN LAWS AND CORN TRADE.) Leguminous crops are very extensively cultivated in India. The standard, or Imperial peck, conFour pecks make a bushel, and 4 bushels a PECK, a dry measure for grain, pulse, &c. tains 2 gallons, or 554-55 cubic inches. coomb. (See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.) PELLITORY, the root of a perennial plant (Anthemis pyrethrum), a native of the Levant, Barbary, and the south of Europe. The root is long, tapering, about the thickness of the finger, with a brownish cuticle. It is imported packed in bales, sometimes mixed with other roots, from which, however, it is easily distinguished. It is inodorous. When chewed, it seems at first to be insipid, but after a few seconds it excites a glowing heat, and a pricking sensation on the tongue and lips, which remains for 10 or 12 minutes. The pieces break with a short resinous fracture; the transverse section presenting a thick brown bark, studded with black shining points, and a pale yellow radiated inside. It is used in medicine as a stimulant. (Thomson's Dispensatory.) The price varies, including the duty (6d.), from 28. to 28. 6d. per lb. PENCILS (Ger. Pinsel; Du. Pinseelen; Fr. Pinceaux; It. Pennelli; Sp. Pinceles), the instruments used by painters in laying on their colours. They are of various kinds, and made of various materials; some being formed of the bristles of the boar, and others of camel's hair, the down of swans, &c. PENCILS, BLACK LEAD. See BLACK LEAD PENCILS. PENKNIVES (Ger. Federmesser; Fr. Canifs; It. Temperini; Sp. Corta plumas), small knives, too well known to need any particular description, used in making and mending pens. The best and most highly ornamented penknives are manufactured in London and Sheffield. PENNY, formerly a silver, but now a copper coin. This was the first silver coin struck in England by our Saxon ancestors, being the 240th part of their pound; so that its weight was about 221⁄2 grains Troy. PENS (Fr. Plumes à écrire; Ger. Schreibfedern; It. Penne da scrivere; Rus. Peru Stwoli), well known instruments for writing, usually formed of the quills of the goose, swan, or some other bird. Metallic pens have been occasionally employed for a lengthened period; but it is only within these few years that they have been extensively introduced. They are now, however, manufactured in vast quantities, and of an immense variety of forms. But though they have superseded, to a very considerable extent, the use of quills, and have some peculiar advantages, it does not appear possible to give them the elasticity of the quill, nor to fit them so well for quick and easy writing on common descriptions of paper. PENNYWEIGIIT, a Troy weight, being the 20th part of an ounce, containing 24 grains. PEPPER (Fr. Poivre; Ger. Pfeffer; Du. Peper; It. Pepe; Sp. Pimienta; Rus. Perez; Lat. Piper), the berry or fruit of different species of plants, having an aromatic, extremely hot, pungent taste, used in seasoning, &c. The following sorts of pepper are met with in commerce: I. BLACK PEPPER (Fr. Poivre; Ger. Schwarzen pfeffer; It. Pepe negro; Sp. Pimienta; Sans. Mercha; Hind. Gol-mirch; Malay, Lada; Jav. Mariha), the fruit of a creeping plant (Piper nigrum), one of the pepper genus, of which there are upwards of 80 species. It is cultivated extensively in India, Siam, the Eastern islands, &c. It requires the support of other trees, to which it readily adheres. It climbs to the height of 20 feet; but is said to bear best when restrained to the height of 12 feet. It begins to produce at about the 3d year, and is in perfection at the 7th; continues in this state for 3 or 4 years; and declines for about as many more, until it ceases to be worth keeping. The fruit grows abundantly from all the branches, in long small clusters of from 20 to 50 grains; when ripe, it is of a bright red colour. After being gathered, it is spread on mats in the sun, when it loses its red colour, and becomes black and shrivelled as we see it. The grains are separated from the stalks by hand rubbing. That which has been gathered at the proper period shrivels the least; but if plucked too soon, it will become broken and dusty in its removal from place to place. The vine produces two crops in the year; but the seasons are subject to great irregularities. Pepper should be chosen of a pungent aromatic odour, an extremely hot and acrid taste, in large grains, firm, sound, and with few wrinkles-for of these it always has some. Reject that which is shrivelled, or small grained, or which on being rubbed will break to pieces. In point of quality, the pepper of Malabar is usually reckoned the best; but there is no material difference between it and that of Sumatra, and the other islands. In the market of Bengal, where they meet on equal terms, the produce of Malabar is generally about 2 per cent. higher than the other. In Europe, there is generally a difference of d. per lb. in favour of Malabar; but in China they are held in equal estimation. Black pepper sold ground, is said to be often adulterated with burnt crust of bread. II. WHITE PEPPER is made by blanching the finest grains of the common black pepper by steeping them for a while in water, and then gently rubbing them, so as to remove the dark outer coat. It is milder than the other, and is much prized by the Chinese; but very little is imported into England. III. CAYENNE PEPPER is the produce of several varieties of the Capsicum, an annual plant, a native of both the Indies. The best, which is brought home from the West Indies ready prepared, is made from the Capsicum baccatum (bird pepper). It has an aromatic, extremely pungent, acrimonious taste, setting the mouth, as it were, on fire, and the impression remaining long on the palate. It is sometimes adulterated with muriate of soda; and sometimes with a very deleterious substance, the red oxide of lead; but this fraud may be detected by its weight, and by chemical tests. — (See CHILLIES.) IV. LONG PEPPER. This species is the produce of a perennial (Piper longum), a native of Malabar and Bengal. The fruit is hottest in its immature state; and is therefore gathered while green, and dried in the sun. It is imported in entire spikes, which are about 1 inch long. It has a weak aromatic odour, an intensely fiery pungent taste, and a dark grey colour. The root of long pepper is a favourite medicine among the Hindoos. The quantities of the last 3 species of pepper imported are quite inconsiderable, compared with the quantity of black pepper. - (Milburn's Orient. Com.; Ainslie's Mat. Indica; Thomson's Dispensatory, &c.) - Trade in Pepper. Consumption of, and Duties on, in England. — Pepper is extensively used, all over Europe and the East, as a condiment. It was originally imported into this country by way of the Levant (see antè, p. 517.); and for many years after the establishment of the East India Company, it formed the most important article of their imports. In nothing has the beneficial effect of opening the Indian trade been so unequivocally displayed as in the instance of pepper. The private traders have resorted to new markets, and discovered new sources of supply, which had hitherto been wholly unexplored; so that there has been not only a very great increase in the quantity of pepper brought to Europe, but also a very great fall in its price, which does not how exceed a third part of what it amounted to in 1814! Pepper for a lengthened period was one of the most grossly over-taxed articles in the British tariff. Until 1823, the duty was 2s. 6d. per lb. -3 duty so exorbitant, that one would be inclined to think it had been imposed to put a total stop to the use of the article. In 1826, the duty on pepper from a British possession was reduced to 18. per lb. ; but even this duty, as compared with the price of the article (3d. to 4d. per lb.), was quite oppressive, amounting to no less than from 300 to 400 per cent.; so that it was further and most properly reduced in 1837, to 6d. per lb. And in consequence principally of these reductions, the entries of pepper for home consumption, which, previously to 1826, had not amounted to 1,450,000 lbs. in any one year, amount at present to about 2,700,000 lbs. ! Still, however, the duty as compared with the price of pepper, is decidedly too high; and should not in fact, exceed 2d. or at most 3d. per lb. Were the duty reduced to this amount, pepper would become accessible to the lower classes, to whom its free use would be of much importance; and if so, the probability is, that the consumption would in no very lengthened period be doubled or more, which would either prevent the revenue from sustaining any loss by such a measure, or make it not worth mentioning. Account of the Quantities of Pepper imported into the U. Kingdom during each of the 8 Years ending with 1842, specifying the Countries wher.ce it was brought, and the Quantities brought from each; and specifying also the Quantities re-exported and retained for Consumption. Countries. Western coast of Africa East India Company's territories and Sumatra, Java, and other islands in British West Indies All other places Total imports Re-exports 2,807,014,6,777,892 4,150,534 3,326,990 9,090,898 5,814,756 14,784,497 5,788,505 74,861 467,319 652,858| 119,243 171,793 46,570 14,253 3,343,277 7,724,932 5,291,993 3,682,342 9,798,059 5,927,959 15,034,466 Quantities retained for consumption - 2,359,573 2.749,491 |2,625,075|2,631,266 2,636,110 2,740,696 2,746,061 2,679,624 The duty on pepper produced, in 1842, 70,3481. 3s. 4d. Supply of Pepper. - The following instructive details with respect to the supply of pepper are taken from the Singapore Chronicle; to which they were contributed by John Crawfurd, Esq.- than whom there can be no more competent authority as to such subjects. Of all the products of the Eastern islands, and of the countries immediately in their neighbourhood, in demand among strangers, black pepper is the most important, both in value and quantity. The pepper countries extend from about the longitude of 960 to that of 115 E., beyond which no pepper is to be found; and they reach from 5° S. latitude to about 120 N., where it again ceases. Within these limits we have Sumatra, Borneo, the Malayan peninsula, and certain countries lying on the east coast of the Gulph of Siam. The whole produce of the island of Sumatra is estimated not to fall short of 168,000 piculs of 1331 lbs. each; the south-west coast being said to produce 150,000, and the north-east coast 18,000 piculs. The pepper ports on the north-east coast of Sumatra are Lankat and Delli, with Sardang. The first 2 produce 15,000 piculs, and the latter 3,000 annually. The cultivation is carried on by the Batta nation in the interior. The ports on the south-west coast, and the amount of their produce, as given in a recent estimate, are as follows: viz. port and district of Trumah, 40,000; district of Pulo Dua, 4,000; ditto of Cluat, 30,000 • coast from Tampat Tuan to Susu, 33,000, port of Susu, 1,000; Kualla Batta, 20,000; Analabu, 2,000; districts to the north of Analabu, 20,000; making in all, 150,000 piculs. Here it is of importance to remark that the culture and production are extremely fluctuating. During the last pepper season, there obtained cargoes on the west coast of Sumatra, 27 American ships, 6 country traders, 4 large French ships, besides the ships belonging to the East India Company, which generally take away 500 tons. Nearly the whole of this trade is in the hands of Europeans or Americans; the pepper finds its way to Europe, to America, and in a small proportion to China. The north-east coast of Sumatra, from Pedier down to the Carimons, is estimated, as already mentioned, to produce 18,000 piculs. Prince of Wales Island is the principal depôt for this, from whence the greatest part is exported to India and China. The produce of Prince of Wales Island itself is about 15,000 piculs. Of the islands at the mouth of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, Bingtang, on which Rhio is situ ated, and adjacent islands, produce 10,000 piculs; and Lingga about 2,000. A large proportion of this is brought to Singapore, which exported last year about 21,000 piculs: some part to Bengal and China, but principally to Europe direct, in free traders. The west coast of the Malayan peninsula produces no pepper, with the exception of about 4,000 piculs afforded by the territory of Malacca. On the east coast of the peninsula, the production of pepper is very considerable. The ports of Patani and Calantan-chiefly the latter-yield about 16,000 piculs annually, and Tringanu about 8,000. A portion of this is brought to Singapore and Penang; but we believe the greater proportion goes direct to China in junks, of which 3 large ones frequent Tringanu annually, and 1 Calantan. The Americans, too, occasionally visit these ports. In the year 1821, 3 vessels of considerable burden obtained cargoes. The east coast of the Gulph of Siam, from the latitude of 104° to that of 1240 N., affords an extensive produce of pepper. This coast is scarcely known, even by name, to the traders of Europe. The principal ports here are Chantibun, Tungvai, Pongsom, and Kampop; the first 2 being under the dominion of Siam, and the latter under that of Kamboja. The whole produce is estimated at not less than 60,000 piculs; 40,000 of which are brought at once to the capital of Siam as tribute to the king, and the whole finds its way to China in junks. It remains only to estimate the produce of the island of Borneo. The whole produce of Borneo is estimated at about 20,000 piculs; of which a large share is carried to China direct in junks, some by Portuguese vessels; and about 7,000 piculs are now annually brought by the native craft of the country itself to Singapore in the course of that free trade, which is happily flourishing at this settlement. The data which have been stated, will enable us to estimate the whole production of the Malayan Archipelago, including that of the peninsula of Malacca, and that of the east coast of the Gulph of Siam, at 308,000 piculs; and as there is no other part of the world that affords pepper, excepting the western coast of the peninsula of India, and this affords but 30,000 piculs, or less than 1-10th part of what the places we have enumerated produce, we have, accordingly, at one view, the whole production of the earth, being 338,000 piculs, or 45,066,666 lbs. avoirdupois. The average price of pepper has been lately about 9 Spanish dollars a picul; so that the whole value drawn into India from Europe, China, and the New World, on account of this single commodity, is 3,042,000 dollars. The quantity given in this statement may appear enormous; but if meted out to the whole population of the globe, or to 1,000,000,000 of people, it would be found that the average annual consumption of an individual would amount to no more than 323 grains. Mr. Crawfurd has more recently supplied us with a revised estimate of the production of pepper as follows: |