here very numerous and large, gorge the bait; for, whenever this occurs, unless the angler cuts his line, (and that, as the shark is more valued by them than any other fish, he is often unwilling to do,) nothing can prevent his rude machine from following their track; and the fisherman is sometimes, in consequence, carried out a great distance to sea.  It requires considerable dexterity to secure these monsters; for when they are hauled up near to the skins, they struggle a good deal, and if they happen to jerk the fisherman from his seat, the infuriate monster dashes at once at him.  Many accidents arise in this manner; but if they succeed in getting him quickly alongside, they soon despatch him by a few blows on the snout."[7]

[Footnote 7:  Vide Lieutenant Wellsted’s Travels in Arabia.]

MRS. WILTON.  “There are many little circumstances of interest connected with the Persian Gulf.  In several parts fresh springs rise in the middle of the salt water, particularly near the Islands of Baharein.  The whole shore of this gulf is lined with islands; and on its shores are several independent Arabs, who almost all live in the same manner.  They subsist by maritime trade, and by the peril and other fisheries.  Their food consists of dates, fish, and dhoura bread.  Their arms are muskets, with matchlocks, sabres, and bucklers.  These tribes, among whom the Houles are the most powerful, all speak the Arabic language, and are enemies to the Persians, with whom they form no alliances.  Their houses are so wretched, that an enemy would think it lost labor to destroy them.  As they generally have but little to lose on land, if a Persian army approaches, all the inhabitants of the towns and villages go on board their little vessels, and take refuge in some island in the Persian Gulf until the enemy retires.”

EMMA.  “Where are the Baharein Isles, mamma?”

MRS. WILTON.  “Near the Arabian shore.  They are remarkable for the pearl fishery, which is carried on in their neighborhood during the months of June, July, and August; a fishery which, in the sixteenth century, was estimated at 500,000 ducats.[8] The name Baharein signifies two seas.”

[Footnote 8:  A ducat is of the value of nine shillings and threepence sterling.]

MR. WILTON.  “Well, Charles; what can you tell us about the little Sea of Aral?”

CHARLES.  “Not much I am afraid, sir.  The Sea of Aral, or Eagles, is situated about 100 miles east of the Caspian, and is nearly 200 miles in length and 70 in breadth; it is surrounded with sandy deserts, and has been little explored; its waters are not so salt as the Caspian, but there are many small saline lakes in its vicinity.  There is a remarkable detached sea in Siberia, or Asiatic Russia, which we have not noticed, called Baikal Sea; it extends from the 51 deg. to the 55 deg. of north latitude.  This sea is 350 miles in length and only 50 in breadth.  The water is fresh and transparent, yet of a green or sea tinge, commonly frozen in the latter end of December, and clear of ice in May.  At particular periods it is subject to violent and unaccountable storms, whence, as terror is the parent of superstition, probably springs the Russian name of Svetoie More, or the Holy Sea.  There are many seals here, and abundance of fish, particularly a kind of herring called omuli.”