Page 294 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

xm.] COAST OF ARABIA. 275

in HejYiz; but the profits arising from the
conveyance of pilgrims form the principal
object of the vessels trading from these ports.

The difficulties and restrictions to which
the Persians have at former periods been
subjected, are now wholly removed; and
these sectarians are permitted to visit, unmo­
lested, the birth-place and tomb of their pro­
phet. None but the rich, however, perform
the hajj, and the sum obtained from them
for their passage is consequently very high,
varying from forty to one hundred dollars

from Bushire, and one-third less from Maskat
and Bender-’Abbas. A vessel belonging to
the Sheikh of Bushire cleared, this year, forty
thousand rupees by her passengers.
From the Malay Islands little other mer­
chandise is brought than spices, which are
very generally used in Hejaz. Ships from
thence complete their cargoes on the Malabar
coast with rice. Numerous pilgrims arrive
annually in these vessels. In the transport
of pilgrims, and to carry on the limited trade,
both of which objects are engrossed by Mo­

hammed’ All Pasha, four vessels are employed;
and, notwithstanding the passage-money is

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