Note J — A CHAPLET OF PEARLS.

A Rabbinical story relates that Abraham, on approaching Egypt, locked Sarah in a chest, that none might behold her beauty. On arriving at the place of paying custom, he was asked for the dues, which he said he would pay. “Thou carriest clothes?” and Abraham offered for those, and gold and other things as they were asked, the required value. At length the collectors said, “Surely, it must be pearls that thou takest with thee?” and he only answered, “I will pay for pearls.” Seeing that they could name nothing of value for which the patriarch was not willing to pay custom, they said, “It can not be but thou open the box, and let us see what is therein.” So they opened the box, and the whole land of Egypt was illuminated by the luster of Sarah’s beauty—far exceeding even that of pearls.

Gautama (Buddha), five hundred years B. C., on the birth of his child, received an ovation from his countrymen. Among the songs of triumph which greeted his ear, one especially, by his cousin, attracted him. He took off his necklace of pearls, and sent it to the minstrel.