Page 382 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 343

night, if report does not belie them, very often

in revelling and debauchery.
I have frequently joined these parties in

the day-time, but the approach of sunset,
when all retired to pray, served as a pretext
to dismiss me, and I never could gain admit­

tance afterwards. That they partake gene­
rally of the forbidden pleasures of wine can

admit of no doubt, for large quantities are
brought from the hills : and whenever brandv

or other spirits are smuggled on shore at
Maskat, (where they are contraband articles)

the greater part is immediately carried off into
the interior. Upon my arrival at Maskat I
found a ship direct from England lying there,

and the selection of her cargo was somewhat

singular for a Mussulmann port, for a very
large proportion consisted of hams and brandy.
I do not know how far they were successful

in disposing of the former, but the latter, not­
withstanding the strict prohibition of the

Imam, found its way to the shore in large
quantities; and I heard from him that nearly

half the population of Maskat was intoxicated
during the time the supply lasted. One of

his relatives even ventured to make his ap­