Page 99 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

60 TRAVELS IN OiMaN. [ch.

state. All, however, in the confidence I had
shown in thus throwing myself amidst them,

was forgotten.

Although so near the sea-coast, the Be-
dowins of this and the neighbouring districts
have remained uncontaminated by any inter­

course with strangers, for they neither inter­

marry nor mix with them; and there is,
therefore, reason to believe that they pre­
serve, in its strictest forms, all the simplicity

and purity of the interior tribes.

It is to be regretted that we know so little
of the character and habits of the true Be-

dowins. Those on the frontiers of Syria and
Mesopotamia have been vitiated by their in­

tercourse with the Turks and other nations.
The same remark applies to the only parts of

Hedjas and Yemen which our travellers have
visited. Burckhardt, though well aware of,

and as well calculated to supply this defi­
ciency, was prevented by sickness from doing

so, otherwise it was his intention to have
passed a few months in the interior pro­

vinces. My object, therefore, while entering
fully on what came under my observation

during my stay amidst these tribes, now and