Page 51 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

12 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH,

able state of repair. The largest, and most

commanding, are erected, on either side, at
the inner extremity of the cove; and within

that on the western side state prisoners are
confined. Two half-moon batteries also com­

mand the entrance: the guns appear well

mounted, and the guard at all seasons on the
alert. The distance across, from fort to fort,

is only half a mile, so that an open attack in
the day-time would be very difficult, if these

were well served.
To persons arriving from seaward, Maskat

with its fort and contiguous hills, have an
extraordinary and romantic appearance. Not

a tree, shrub, or other trace of vegetation is
visible, and the whitened surface of the houses,

and turreted forts in the vicinity, contrast in
a singular manner with the burnt and cindery

aspect of the darkened masses of rock around.
Similar in its aspect to most eastern cities

when viewed from a distance, we first discern

the level roofs of the dwellings, the domes of
the mosques, their lofty minarets, and other

prominent features, and the view retains these
attractive features until we land, when the

illusion quickly disappears. Narrow crowded