Page 443 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

404 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [on.

India, in a measure subsidiary to his own, by

which, without incurring any additional ex­
pense, we should at all times have a powerful

armament at our command, in a quarter
where it may prove of such vital importance,

which could always, when required, be fur­

nished from India with European seamen,
where at present we have but a trifling force,

and where, if the Oman government should
fall into other hands, we might for a time

have a most dangerous foe.
The magnificent seventy-four which his

Highness presented but a few months since
to his late Majesty had for its object, as he

explained to me, his allying himself more
closely with us ; and I have not the slightest

doubt but that whenever the above proposal

is made to him, he will embrace it with the
utmost willingness.

I conclude my observations on Oman with

the detail of a short journey which I under­
took in search of some inscriptions within the

neighbouring province of Hydramaut.