'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎114] (223/496)

took place. The tops of the houses on either side were crowded with well-
dressed women with faces uncovered^ but I certainly did not observe
more than half a dozen pretty ones amongst the whole of them.
The fight continued for about a quarter of an hour, when the party
moved on to the middle of the square and commenced again. A third
movement was then made, bringing us to the end, where we remained
till a gun was fired from the fort, which is situated at one extremity of
the square, and at the other extreme are two small towers, placed one on
either side ; when the word was given to face about, and we returned
exactly in the same manner as in the advance, the ceremony having oc
cupied nearly two hours. It is observed every year, at the conclusion of
the pilgrimage, and continued for three days, during which time the
market is closed, and business of every kind suspended. After the even
ing meal, the Governor, accompanied by half a dozen friends, came up
to my quarters, when the old gentleman enquired if I w r as fond of sing
ing ; and being answered in the affirmative, he immediately dispatched a
messenger to summon the “ Bard of Nils wee/’ who he assured me had
frequently performed in the presence of the Imaum’s son, Said Khwainee,
Governor of Meskat. The individual in question soon made his appearance,
and after being regaled with coffee, commenced in true Arab style. He
was rapturously applauded by the company, with the exception of my
guides, who complained of not understanding a word he said: the per
formance, however, was tolerable, but by no means to be compared with
the public singers at Cairo.
10. Nuswee, the largest town in Oman (Meskat excepted,) is situated
about five miles from the base of the Green Mountains, and is entirely
surrounded by hills : the heat in consequence is far greater than in othei
towns of the province, which are generally in more open situations. T lie
town is built with regularity: the houses two stories high (stone) and of
a respectable appearance, with narrow streets. The fort, which is round
and built of stone, is about eighty feet high. I was not allowed to enter
it, the Governor having orders to admit no stranger without an oidci
10 m Meskat. I only saw two or three old rusty guns projecting h 011
the embrasures. Date groves extend in every direction, but, as at
innik, sever al are withered up, and a great deal of land laying ^ as ^
for want of water.
drought has continued now for five years, and it is feared tl >
un ess a change speedily takes place, the whole province will be 111111 ,
Notwithstanding all the philosophy of the Mahomedan character,