Page 301 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

282 COAST OF ARABIA. [CH.

common to Persia and Egypt, which catch
the breeze and distribute it through the lower
apartments, are not in use here; nor do the
inhabitants rear their edifices so as to take
advantage of the cool and salubrious north­
erly winds. The entrance-hall is spacious
and lofty; the floor is kept constantly moist­
ened ; and within it visitors are received, and

the master and servants enjoy their midday
slumbers.

Every house of any size or importance is
provided with a water cistern dependent on
the rains for its supply; but the wells, which
furnish the greater part of the town with this
necessary, are situated about a mile and a
half in an easterly direction without its walls.
There are no public buildings of any import­
ance at Jiddah ; the mosques are not equal
in size to those of Mokha, and the Governor s

residence is a paltry building. The caravan-
sarais are spacious: within them are large
squares, with lofty arched passages, affording
a cool retreat to the numerous merchants who,
with their merchandise, take up their quar­
ters there.
I have few observations to make respecting