Page 186 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

X.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 147

meet with in the females below : these, com­
bined with a disposition equally lively, and a
form, although somewhat taller, yet possess­

ing outlines by no means inferior, render
them a far more interesting subject for con­

sideration than their worthy helpmates. I
have more than once regretted when in con­

versation with them, that, with such faces
and forms, fate had not assigned them a less

rude lot. Yet are they, in common with
those who, from local and other causes, rank

lower in the scale of human condition, appa­
rently content with the station which has

been assigned them, and we may question if
any change would increase the sum of their

general happiness.
Thursday, December 31s£. It now became

necessary for us to return to Neswah, where
I expected letters connected with my further
progress were awaiting me, but an unforeseen

obstacle presented itself, which at first gave

me no small trouble. The men we brought
from Tarnuf complained much of the cold,
and had been desirous to return immediately

after our arrival at Shirazi, and in this feel­
ing they were supported and encouraged by

l 2