Page 270 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XII.] COAST OF ARABIA. 251

The north'-westers are cool and refreshing,
but the southerly winds prove damp, sultry,
and unwholesome. During the prevalence
of the latter, in September and October, the
moisture of the air is very great in the
warmest days, and the heavy dew at night,
when all are obliged to sleep in the open air,
render it particularly disagreeable. The

sudden and grateful change which a return
of the north-westerly breezes produces in the
atmosphere renders them particularly desir­

able at this season.
In the upper portion of the sea, during the
prevalence of northerly breezes, the atmo­
sphere is of uncommon purity, and every
object can be perceived the moment it be­
comes elevated above the horizon. In the
course of our survey we have often used as
objects, hills distant more than a hundred
miles. The purple tint with which they are

then warmed, communicates to their before
stern and rugged features a beauty and soft­
ness, wholly foreign to their real character.
In the day-time a cloudless sky throws its
deep blue tinge over the sea, more bright
and pellucid than the tideless Mediterranean.