Page 355 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

316 TRAVELS IN OMAN.

CHAPTER XX.

Commercial Advantages of Oman—Simple Habits of the People
—Deficiency of internal Commerce explained—Natives of the
Sea-coast—Early Commercial Enterprise — Loiv State of
Learning, Arts, and Manufactures—General Indifference to
Knowledge — An Exception — Say y id Ibn Kalfdn — Sugar
Manufactory—Cotton Cloths—The Lungl — Silk-weavers—
Camalines — Ulwah— Sweetmeats—Honey—Vineyards—Arti­
sans—Manufactory of Arms—Female Ornaments—Pureness of
Gold—R eligious Tenets—Population—Original Stock—Feuds
—Honour and good Faith—General Character—Foundation
of Quarrels—Morality— Ceremonious Behaviour—Salutations
—Simplicity,

If we consider the advantageous position of
Oman, as an emporium for the trade of India,

Persia, and Arabia, it cannot fail to strike us
with surprise that the province generally has

never reached any considerable degree of
commercial importance. We find, on the

contrary, that, with the exception of Maskat,
Sohar, and KUhat, which collectively enjoyed

but a scanty portion, even at the period when
the main stream of that immense commerce