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SOUTHERN ARABIA. [CH.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Analogy between the Commerce of Ancient and Modern India
and Arabia—Trade and Trading Barks—Arab Compass—
Anecdote—Fertile Valleys—Obstacles to reaching Hydrdmaut
—Signification of the Name—Extent—List of Towns—Popu
lation— Fertility — Grand Sheikh — Warlike Character of
Natives—Shaher—Fortifications — Prison—Mosques—Absence
of Coffee-Houses.
From the earlier writers we learn, that in the
communication between these ports and India,
commerce first dawned ; and though a scanty
remnant alone survives, the subject is in
teresting; because the articles they bartered,
and the line of route they pursued, are still
unchanged, after the lapse of so many ages.
Nay, even the very barks in which their mer
chandise is conveyed, have from a remote
period undergone but small improvement.
From India they still receive nutmegs,
pepper, “ with the chief of all spices,” to
gether with silk in the yarn; but no longer
“ very much gold and precious stones*.”
* 1 Kings x. 2.
