Page 183 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

144 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

taineers, but, on the contrary, their faces

are wrinkled and haggard, and appear as if
suffering from premature decay. I have

little doubt but this is owing to an immo­
derate use of wine, which they distil from

their grapes in large quantities, and partake
of openly and freely at their several meals.

They defend the practice by asserting that
the cold renders it necessarv.

Their wine, in flavour and appearance,
bears a close resemblance to that brought
from Shiraz. Large quantities are taken in

skins to the surrounding countries and to the
sea-coast, and is there sold publicly. In the

winter season the men leave the culture of
their vines to the females, and, having no­

thing to do themselves, pass the time within
their houses, until the sun is sufficiently high

to warm them, and then they crawl forth and
bask in it. While amidst their mountains,

few go armed with more than the common
jambeer or dagger, which also serves them on

many occasions as a knife; but those who
resort with their fruit, &c., to the plains be­

low, carry with them their matchlock and
sword, and that they well understand their