Page 392 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 353

fair at their birth. The expression of their
countenance is very pleasing; their eyes

being large, vivacious, and sparkling ; their
nose somewhat aquiline : the mouth regular ;

and the teeth of a pearly whiteness. They
are, without doubt, in point of personal attrac­
tion, superior to any other class which I have

seen in Arabia. Of a gay and sprightly dis­
position, the smile of mirth constantly plays

about their features ; and any witty allusion
in their conversation with each other, or ludi­

crous incident, however trifling, is sufficient
to excite their laughter.

In the towns near the sea-coast, females of
condition are secluded with as much care as
in any other part of the eastern world; but

the practice is optional with themselves, and
they take the liberty of dispensing with it

when they please. At the house of an Arab
merchant whom I was in the habit of visiting,
it was found impossible to restrain the curi­

osity of the females of his harem, who, desir­
ous of seeing an European, were constantly

flitting before the door of the apartment in
which we were seated. My friend bore this

with patience for some time, and strove by

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