'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎695] (794/905)

CHAP. XXV.]
OP THE ARABS.
695
from Damascus to Mekkah in 1503 but this is an unusual Facilities in
circumstance, and I neyer perceived that the positions of thewayaiSfthe
stars were made to serve as guides by night. It is customary de8ert -
with the Arabs to raise small heaps of stones at certain places
in the wilderness, to enable them to recognise their situation;
and this is also done in order that they may distinguish one
reach of a river from another, when there happens to be
nothing else of a marked character on the ground. Their
confidence in the correctness of their movements is greatly
diminished at night, when they cannot distinguish the small
differences in the localities ; but during the day they travel to
the well or place of encampment with sufficient precision.
Those who have had occasion to avail themselves extensively
of the services of the Arabs, will readily acknowledge that
they are rarely, if ever, mistaken in the general direction of
any place in the wilderness ; in fact, a messenger can at any
time be found to carry a letter across the desert, from Damascus
or Aleppo to Baghdad or Basrah. For such a journey the
messenger sets out with no other provision than a bag of
dates, and a little water.
The Arab people are of two distinct classes, the fixed and Prejudices less
.-i r strong among
the nomadic, the latter being the most numerous; the former the people of
class includes the inhabitants living in the towns bordering the coast
upon the river Euphrates, the western shores of the Persian
Gulf, 'Oman, &c. There are some also in Arabia Petreea,
and near, or upon the western coast of the Peninsula. The
people of the towns on this coast are not free from pride and
prejudice; but the latter has been much diminished among
them by their commercial intercourse with the people of
Europe. They appear to be industrious and temperate, and
are not addicted to piracy. Their skill in navigation is,
however, very small, and they are only able to carry on a
coasting trade. Their neighbours in Yemen are remarkable
for a greater degree of vivacity, and they evince a sociable and
commercial disposition. .
The hardy mariners of Abothubee, and the adjoining
territory were once strongly addicted to piracy, and the
1 Purchas' Pilgrims, vol. V., b. ii., p. 226.