Page 393 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

354 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [_CH.

remonstrances to prevent it; but finding those

ineffectual, he watched his opportunity when
I next made my appearance, and turned the

key of the harem upon the whole of them ;
but such an outrageous clamour was imme­
diately raised by its inmates, that he was but

too happy before I went away to release them.
There is indeed but little doubt that the

Mohammedan ladies in Oman enjoy more
liberty, and at the same time are more re­

spected, than in any other eastern country.
During civil commotions, they often take a

part in public affairs, and in some instances
have displayed the utmost heroism.
Amidst the most striking features in the

condition of this interesting and singular race
stands their Sheikh government, which, in its

constitution and operative effects, is a political
phenomenon in the history of nations. Al­

though neither a republic, an aristocracy, nor
a kingdom, it nevertheless possesses the ele­

ments of them all ; and when we consider the
ages for which it has endured, the slight de­
gree of political restraint which it imposes on

the people, the warriors it has reared and sent
forth from time to time from its own uncon-