The History of Arabia, Crichton Vol2 - The Search For Mecca

GOVERNMENT OF ARABIA. 139ready for the traveller ;—besides there are the caravansariesand coffee-houses, with groups of townsmenand traders reclining on couches of the dateleaf,smoking their small hookahs, sipping theirkischer, and perpetually stroking their long beards.one of the best inThe government of Mocha isthe gift of the imam, owing to the large sums whichthe dowlah is able to extort from the Banians andforeign traders. Formerly an Arab of high rankwas appointed to the office ; but of late it has been,deemed more prudent to give it to a slave, who caneasily be removed, and from whom it is more safeto take the profits of his situation. From theavaricious temper of the local authorities, Niebuhrand his companions experienced the most vexatioustreatment in the seizure of their baggage, and thedestruction of some of their valuable instruments.Lord Valentia makes the same remark as to thecovetous and tyramiical character of the ruler ofMocha, and ascribes to him a new method of extortingmoney from the Banians, by confining themin a room, and fumigating them with sulphur tillthey complied with his demands. The dowlah in1823 is represented as a more amiable personage,quiet and civil to Europeans, and not oppressive tothe people. He was an Abyssinian, not at allsUiking either in his figure or appearance, who hadbeen a slave in the family of the imam, and promotedfor his good conduct. Without the walls ofthe town are three extensive suburbs ; one occupiedby common labourers ;one by the Abyssinian mariners,who detest the natives ; and the third bythe Jews, who are not allowed to wear a turban,and held in such contempt that an Arab may spitupon and strike them. These last carry on an extensiveillicit trade in brandy distilled from dates.These suburbs are not more cleanly than the town.The bed of the river Moosa is filled with an accuulationof filth and rubbish ; its waters never