Page 419 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

380 TRAVELS IN OMAN.

or property, being exacted. The customs
are farmed to a Banian for the yearly sum

of one hundred and sixty-five thousand

dollars; and from the African and Persian
coasts he receives two hundred thousand

more, which gives an aggregate revenue of
about three hundred and sixty thousand dol­

lars. The expenses of his household are not
great, but he lavishes considerable sums on

his ships and in presents. His liberality in
the latter respect almost rivals the tales which

are told of the Kaliphs of old. AH his rela­
tions are supported by him, and his presents

to strangers who visit him are magnificent in

the extreme; and it rarely happens that the
poorest Arab is allowed to depart without

receiving some token by which he may re­
member the visit. Bedowins arriving in

Maskat are fed at his expense, and when they

depart are provided with as much food as
they can carry away with them. I was once

present when one of the men entrusted with
the charge of his horses entered the chamber,

and reminded his Highness that when he had

been looking at them on the previous even­