'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.' [‎519] (550/582)

INHABITANTS OF MUSCAT.
519
European resident, an Englishman may go every where unmo
lested. In the town, every one, as far as I observed, even the
Imaum himself, went on foot. When they journey, horses are
seldom used, but camels and asses are the animals mounted by
all classes of those who ride. During our stay at Muscat, I did
not see, however, even one of either of those animals, though I was
on shore and visited every part of the town. The tranquillity
that reigns throughout the town, and the tolerance and civility
shown to strangers of every denomination, are to be attributed to
the inoffensive disposition of the people, rather than to any ex
cellence of police, as it has been thought. There is indeed no
regular establishment of that kind here, either in patroles or
guards, except at the forts on the heights above the town, where
there are sentinels who repeat their cries from tower to tower.
Nevertheless, whole cargoes of merchandize, and property of
every description, are left to lie open on the Custom-house wharf,
and in the streets, without fear of plunder. The ancient regulation
which prevented the entry of ships into the port, or the transaction
of business on shore, after sun-set, is not now enforced ; and
though shore-boats are not permitted to come off to ships in the
harbour after dark, yet ships'-boats are allowed to remain on shore,
and to go off at pleasure. Every thing, indeed, is favourable
to the personal liberty, the safety, and the accommodation of
strangers; and the Arabs of Muscat may be considered, I think,
as far as their manners go, to be the most civilized of their coun
trymen. The author of 4 L'Histoire Philosophique et Politique
des Etablissemens et du Commerce des Europeens dans les deux
Indes,' speaks of the people of Muscat as celebrated, at the ear
liest period of their commercial history, for the most excellent
qualities. He says, '11 n'est point de peuple dans TOrient dont
on a loue si generalement la probite, la temperance, et 1'humeur
sociale. On n'entend jamais parler d'infidelite dans le com
merce, qu'il n'est pas permis de faire apr^s le coucher du soleil
La defense de boire du vin, et des liqueurs fortes, est si fidelement