Page 409 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

370 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

soldiers, but the other portion still, in a mea­
sure, remains independent of him.

None of the different forms of government
in Arabia have excited more attention and

discussion in Europe than that of the Imam,
which, from its association of spiritual with

temporal power, may be compared to that of
the Pope. Niebuhr, in his visit to the coast

in 1762, has furnished a full description of
the constitution of the government of Sana,
but that of the prince of Maskat differs in

many most essential points : thus, the former
rules through the intervention of a divan,

which serves greatly to controul his power
and abridge his authority ; while the latter,

although he is content to leave the cognizance
of civil affairs to the decision of the Kadi, yet,

in all such cases as require his interference,
*
.
he possesses the free exercise of his own will
The rule at present exercised over those
provinces of Om4n which are subjected to the

sway of the Im&m of Maskat, is probably

* The title of Im&m, implying “ Vicar of Mohammed,” is eccle­
siastical in Arabia, and synonymous with Emir el Nunumim,
or Prince of the Faithful. It appears to have been assumed by
the successors of the Prophet.