Page 38 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

CONTENTS. XV

Page
Use of ardent spirits 343
Wine—Gaming—Divination 344
Love of swinging, music and musical instruments 345
Feast of “ the Aid”—War dance 346
Dress—Arms—Food 349, 350
Person and ornaments of women 351, 352
Sprightliness of character—Anecdote 353
Freedom of Arab females 354
Sheikh government—Civilization 355
Patriarchal authority—Attachment to their Sheikhs -
Anecdote .... 357—361
Notice of various tribes—Independence 364
Incessant feuds 367
Mutual attachment of a Bedowin tribe 368
Imam’s Government—Court—Titles 371 — 374
Administration of justice 375
Family feud—Religious toleration 376
Responsibility of Sheikhs 377
Public resources—Revenue 379
Imam’s Household—Munificent character 380
Standing army 381
Feudalism .... 382
Population—Towns—Map of Oman 383, 384
Houses .... 386
Architecture—Slave-trade 387
Imam's consent to its abolition—Reflections—Descrip­
tion and number of slaves 388, 390
Value—Treatment—Punishment—Household slaves —
their education . . . 390,391
Historical glance at Oman . . .392
Our political relations with its Prince . . 400
Importance of an intimate alliance . . 401
His navy—Port of Maskat . . 402
Ungenerous behaviour of British Government . 403
Ras ul Aseida .... 405
Start for Nakai el Hajar—Shells ... . 407
Deyabi Bedowins—their representative government . 4 09