'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎63] (228/524)

AROUND THE SHORE LINE OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . 63
Exchange the bales across the Gulf, and they may sell olf-hand. When
I was at Zanzibar last year, an enterprising Hanseatic merchant hit
upon the idea of imitating the famous Muscat turban. He found he
could import from Hambro an equally good looking (in my view
better) article at a reduced price : but the Arabs and Sowahaille men
about town decided the colours were a little too bright: the article was
forthwith gossamer to a beaver. Another gentleman sampled a large
pink bead. The only objection possible to it was, that it did
not sell in Uniamesi, among the Mountains of the Moon. Similar
accidents happened in piece goods : a stripe too broad or a line too
little was sufficient to make the conversative ladies of the Negro races
doubt quality, and stick to the original Surat, Broach, or Bengal.
99. In the articles of ghee, cotton, madder-root, opium, and wool,
there is room for indefinite extension. It might be possible to create a
trade in horns, glue, hides, saltpetre, and sulphur. Persia possesses
great mineral wealth and coals, and sooner or later these must come to
market. The coal we used at the Teheran Legation was fetched some
10 or 12 miles from near Bamawend. It was of good quality, and I
am of opinion that similar coal is findable in the hills near Bushire at
Gesakoon and Halila Hill.
100. But it is rash to foretell the future of trade, or to prefer one
route to another, so long as the arbitrary interferences of authority may
by a stroke of the pen ruin one line or force another,
101. I cross the Gulf to Mussendom. It is on this deeply indent-
c]ags No 4 ed and fantastically outlined cape that
the territory directly under the Sultan of
Muscat lies. A singular race of men inhabit the headland, and seem
to be an early race, driven by stronger growths of humanity into this
remotest corner. They appear as though they had paused here only
because precipiced over the sea.
102. As to the ports of this territory, they are of no present com
mercial value. But, as submitted more
in detail in my letters now noted, I am
of opinion, that the neighbourhood of
Khussub, at the outer entrance of the
Elphinstone Inlet, is a convenient point
for the immediate establishment of an
Koomzar Khussub.
No. 1 A, dated IStli January
1863.
No. 2 A, dated 2nd February
1863.
No 6 A, dated 16th ditto.