Page 420 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XIX.] SOUTHERN ARABIA. 393

dour and magnificence: but these have now
all passed away; its commerce has departed;
its harbours are almost empty; the city de­
serted: and we may exclaim, as of Tyre,
in the language of the prophet, “ How are
the mighty fallen!” The present inhabit­
ants do not exceed eight hundred, the de­

scendants of Arabs, Sumalis, and the off­
spring of slaves; but not a Turk now re­
mains in the town; nor could I trace any
resemblance in feature or figure to their for­
mer masters. They live principally in huts
built on the ruins of the former city, the
frame-work of which is formed by poles fast­
ened together and covered over with mats.
Not more than twenty families are now en­
gaged in mercantile pursuits ; the rest gain­
ing a miserable existence either by supply­
ing the Hajj boats with wood and water,
or by fishing. A few Banians also reside
at, and monopolise the greater part of the
trade. They live in good houses, substantially
built, and exercise considerable authority in
the town.
But the most interesting portion of the popu­
lation of Aden consists of about, two hundred