Page 40 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

IN

THE PROVINCE OF OMAN.

CHAPTER I.

Aspect of Arabia—Its unexplored Districts—The Author's pre­
parations for his Journey—Arrives at Maskat—Interview with
the Imam—His presents—Personal appearance and generosity
of character—Maskat; its ancient name and commercial im­
portance—Position—Fortifications, Houses, $c.

Arabia has been aptly compared to a coat of

frieze bordered with gold, since the only cul­
tivated or fertile spots are found on its con­

fines, the intermediate space being filled with

arid and sandy wastes.
Nearly the whole of its Syrian or northern
frontier has been examined. Burckhardt de­

scribes, from personal observation, the imme­

diate vicinity of Mecca and Medina in the
Hedjaz; and Niebuhr, in the same manner,
a small portion of Yemen ; but the extensive

vol. I. B