Page 408 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)

XIX.] SOUTHERN ARABIA. 381

CHAPTER XIX.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUTHERN ARABIA.

Cape Aden—Author's Visit to—Appearance from the Sea—For­
tifications — Ancient condition—Unsuccessful Expedition of
Albuquerque—Decline of Aden—Commerce — Ancient Appel­
lation of Aden—Sirah—Ancient Harbour and Remains of City
—Minarets—Decay—Ornamental Architecture—Fortifications
—Enormous Guns—Interesting Anecdote of Sultan Mahassan
—Baths—Reservoirs —Ancient Population—Cemeteries—Mo­
dem Census—Commerce—Banians—Jews—Domestic Furni­
ture—Children—Jewish Artisans—Schools—Foreign trade—
Revenue.

When the high land which forms Cape Aden
is approached from the eastward, the low
isthmus which connects it with the main
cannot at first be perceived, and it conse­
quently presents the appearance of an island
situated at a considerable distance from the

Arabian continent. Thus it showed itself to
us early, when, on the morning of the 17th