Page 52 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

I.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 13

streets and filthy bazaars, nearly blocked up
by porters bearing burthens of dates, grain,

&c., wretched huts intermingled with low and
paltry houses, the owners of which, seated on

a small projecting part before their door, are
merely sheltered from the heat of the sun by

tattered canvas awnings; and other dwellings
more than half fallen to decay, but which yet

continue tenanted, meet the eye in every di­
rection. There are, nevertheless, within the

town several substantial, handsome houses;
the palace of the Im&m, and those belonging

to the old princess, his mother, the governors,
and several others, being of the latter descrip­

tion. The form of these edifices differs con­
siderably from what is usually seen in the

towns of Yemen and the Hedjaz, and par­

takes more of the Persian style of architec­
ture.
Maskat is built on a slope, rising with a

gradual ascent from the sea, where the water

nearly washes the bases of the houses. This
side has no defence, but the others are pro­

tected by a wall fourteen feet high, with a
dry ditch. The entrance is by two gates,

which they close every night at sunset.