'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎396] (427/582)

396
CHARACTER OF THE ARABS.
whose intercourse amounts to more than a ceremonious visit for
half an hour in the morning, and none of these understand English,
or any other European language. These are evils which, even an
hospitable host, a good library, and a numerous stud of horses,
can hardly overbalance ; and for want of these, no doubt, the ad
vantages of a bracing winter climate, abundance of the best pro
visions for the table, including fine fruits, variety of vegetables,
and a constant supply of the choicest game, are not felt to their
full extent; since there can be little doubt that agreeable occupa
tion for the mind has as powerful an effect as any bodily remedies
in restoring the tone and vigour of health to the constitution of
an Indian invalid.
The character of the Arabs of Bussorah, as well as of those set
tled along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates, partakes more
of that of the Desert Arab than is elsewhere found in towns and
cultivated lands. The citizens are respectful towards strangers ;
and there is no place that I have ever yet visited, where the Eng
lish are held in such estimation, either by the Government or the
people. There is an unusual degree of tolerance also towards all
those of a different religion, and, regarding them as Mohammedans,
a striking indifference about religious matters generally. Notwith
standing the unavoidable distinctions of rank and wealth among
the inhabitants of so commercial a city as this, there is, neverthe
less, a sort of Desert rudeness and independence among the lower
order of its inhabitants, which is never found among a similar
class in Egypt or Syria. Hospitality is seldom wanting, and pro
tection is claimed and given in cases even of crime; while the
laws of retaliation by blood, and the severest punishments of forni
cation and adultery, are observed here with nearly the same rigour
as in the heart of Arabia. There were, during my stay in the house
of the British Resident, some of the Mutesellim's own servants, who
had fled there to claim dukhiel, or protection ; and this being granted,
they remain in safety till their crimes are forgotten or pardoned.
Persons offending against the Resident have also flown to the