Page 101 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

62 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [ch.

questions of theology: I could not, however,

at first, resist the temptation of leading to
some of their least defensible doctrines, and

stating the arguments which could be brought
to bear against them; but they evinced so

little prejudice or fanaticism on these points
that I regretted having done so, and, to make

amends, most willingly subscribed to the opi­
nion of one of their old men, that either faith

was best adapted for the country and people
who practised it.

From this the conversation turned on our
females. Was it true, they inquired, that

those of high birth and condition danced in
public, and went unveiled ? Here they had

me on the hip, as they fancied; and the
rogues chuckled whilst awaiting my reply.

I confessed it was, but we did not, like them,
attach any indelicacy to it; that our females

were never secluded, but were instructed in
useful knowledge, and allowed equal liberty
with the other sex, and that we found our

advantage in doing so, for, instead of being
objects of mere sensual desire, they then be­

came companions. Here, however, I gained
not a single convert. “ Let them work,” said