'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.' [‎643] (742/905)

CHAP. XXIV.]
MASKAT
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tered by the surrounding rocky hills to form an excellent har- Harbour
hour; this inlet is admirably suited to make the capital of
'Oman the first emporium of Arabian commerce, if it be not so
already. At the eastern extremity of the inner cove there is
a narrow gorge, and beyond it a winding pass, leading between
high precipitous rocks, first to some flourishing gardens and
from thence into the interior of the peninsula.
Nearly the whole of the city lies westward of the opening and city of
in question. The streets are dirty, confined as to space, and Mas ^ a -"
much obstructed by goods, porters, &c., and the buildings are
of a very mixed description ; cupolas, minarehs, palaces, the
residence of the governor, and other substantial edifices, being
in the midst of mere huts, constructed with palm branches,
and covered with the leaves of that useful tree. But on the
whole the effect is good and striking, as the houses rise in ter
races along the rocky slopes, whose dark, craggy and frowning
summits are crowned with forts connected by crenellated
walls, supported by numerous batteries defending the harbour.
Seated in another cove a little way to the N.W. is Muttra, Muttra.
or Matarah, which is a considerable town, almost entirely a
place of business, and containing more well-built houses than
Maskat. At intervals of a mile, or a mile and a half, there
are three other coves: the first called Kalehat, with a village
dependent upon Matarah ; the two others also have each a vil-"
lage; and all the three villages are about the same size. The
decided encouragement given to trade by the present distin
guished and liberal imam has peopled the town with a mixed
race, descended from Arabs, Persians, Kurds, Syrians, Indians,
Afghans and Baluches, in all about 60,000 souls, who have
become acclimatized in a place which is almost invariably
fatal to Europeans. 1 The inhabitants manufacture sugar,
ulwah, some cloaks and coarse cloths ; but commercial pursuits
are the principal occupations. 2 The chief exports are dates,
madder, 3 sharks' fins (sent to China), and salt fish, which are
1 The thermometer stood at 106° in the shade at 5 p.m ., 10th April.
Lieutenant Wellsted, vol. I., p. 318.
2 Ibid., vol. VII., p. 103, of the Royal Geographical Journal.
3 Ruhia tinctorum of Linnaeus.
4 N <5