Page 408 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXII.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 369

An Arab of the Desert knows and displays
this in his behaviour and conversation. He

believes himself to be the purest and best of
the human race, and it is for the indulgence

of these feelings that he infinitely prefers his
own wilds to the comparative luxury of an
abode in cities. Although disputes con­

stantly occur between Arabs, accompanied
by violent behaviour and gesticulations, yet,

even in the extremity of anger, they never
utter those disgusting epithets so familiar to
the natives of India or Persia. An Arab’s

phraseology is simple and manly: for were
he to give vent to expressions directly im­

peaching his opponent’s honour and hospi­
tality or those of his tribe, nothing short of
the offender’s blood would atone for the in­

sult.
With the exception of Sohar, which has

been under the dominion of another chief for
some years, the whole of Oman formerly ac­

knowledged the sway of the reigning Imams ;
but in 1829, Schinass, and the ports from

thence to the northward, threw off the yoke.
The former has since returned to his authority,
and its fort has admitted a party of Beluchee

vol. i. 2 b