Page 611 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

GULF OF PERSIA. 567

doned in 1800 for want of a sheltered port, and the inhabitants trans-
ferrcd to Muharag.
Oft' the islands, and mostly on the reefs, are situated springs of fresh
water rising out of the sea; some are in two, three, four, and I have
heard five, fathoms water. They obtain the water by holding a Mussulc
over the mouth of ajar fixed over the spring.
The pearl fishery generally commences about the beginning of June,
and is carried on with the greatest activity until October. During the
period of the fishing, frequently pearls to the amount of from sixteen to
twenty lakhs of dollars are obtained, and are exported in the manner
mentioned in the account of the trade of the island. The Shaikh
receives a small tax from every boat employed, besides having a
number employed on his own account during the pearl fishery. It is
all hurry, and the pearl bank exhibits an interesting sight; several
thousand boats being seen at the same time, some sailing about, others
at anchor, but all briskly employed.
The people of the island are much divided : those who are termed
Arabs, and are not engaged in trade, are attached to the Shaikh and
his Government ; the other part, consisting of all those engaged in
mercantile pursuits, and by far the most wealthy, are much dissatis­
fied, and it was by no means uncommon during the survey of the
island for the people, when they thought themselves safe from being
overheard, asking whether the English were not going to take posses­
sion of the island, and appearing both incredulous and disappointed
when replied to in the negative.
The Shaikh also suspects such to be our view, as he cannot conceive
why we should be at the expense and trouble of making these surveys,
if we had no ulterior view. Bahrein is capable, under good govern­
ment, of being very valuable, as the whole trade of the Arabian side of
the Gulf might be centred in the island, which in itself is capable of
the greatest improvement, and might be m'ade to produce large quan­
tities of wheat and barley, which grow in some few places, where
cultivated, to the greatest perfection.
The soil of about one-fourth of the island is very rich, and, in proper
hands, would be much improved, as the greater part, with the exception
of the date plantations, a few barley, wheat, and clover fields, lies
entirely waste. Much more of the island might be brought into culti*
vation by conveying the water by an aqueduct to those parts of the
island now without it, and the springs at the reservoirs are fully equal
to the supply. With the exception of the hills, and some small portions
bordering on the sea, I do not think there is a part but what is capable
of cultivation; but this is not ever likely to take place while the island
remains under the present Government, as for want of
encouragement