THE dominions of the Sultan of Muscat are not very clearly defined, though they are of very considerable extent. On the coast of Africa, he claims all the coast and circumjacent islands from Cape Delgado, situated in ten degrees of south latitude, to Cape Guardafui, in eleven degrees and fifty minutes north. In this range we find the ports of Monghow, or Mongalow, Lyndy, Mombassa, Quiloa, Melinda, Lamo, Patta, Brava, Mokdeshà, or Magadosh (the Magadoxa of the Portuguese), and the islands of Mafeea, or Mowfea, Zanzibar, Pemba, Socotra, &c. At a very early period, a tribe of Arabs, called Ammozzadi, meaning subjects of Zayde, migrated from the neighbourhood of Barhein in the Persian Gulf, and soon afterwards built Mokdeshà and Brava, of

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which settlements the former was the metropolis. The first Arab settlers separated, and a part of them mixing with the Caffres, became Bedouins. Those who remained at Makdeshà were the first who enjoyed the profits of the gold-mines of Sofala, which they accidentally discovered. Thence they spread themselves to the southward, and obtained possession of Quiloa, Mombassa, Melinda, and, in addition to the islands above named, those of Comoro and others. Quiloa became their chief plantation; whence they established other settlements, particularly on the island of Madagascar.*

In southern and eastern Arabia, the Sultan claims the coast, from Cape Aden to Cape Ras el Had; thence northward as far as Bussorah, in latitude 29° 30′ north, all the coast and islands of the Persian Gulf, including the pearl-fishery and islands of Barhein, as far as Sinde, on the eastern side. All this extent of territory is not garrisoned by his troops, but is considered as tributary to him. He

* Such is the account of the settlement of the east coast of Africa, given in a collection of early voyages, chiefly extracted from "Purchas's Pilgrims" and Hackluyt's collection. The first navigators who doubled the Cape of Good Hope found that the inhabitants spoke Arabic, and professed the religion of Mohammed; this will account for the practice of circumcision, and other Moslem customs, of several tribes in Caffraria and Southern Africa, described by the Rev. S. Kay in his very interesting "Travels and Researches in Caffraria."

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rents besides, sulphur-mines in Persia, and several estates in Gambroon.

The commercial value of these possessions, and the revenue derived from them, we have no means of ascertaining. The pearl-fishery of Barhein was once estimated to be worth annually more than three millions of pounds sterling; but at present it does not probably yield one-tenth of that sum. The fishing season lasts from April until October, and extends over a space of twelve or fifteen miles. Arabs are the only people engaged in it.

The pearls of Barhein are not so white as those of Ceylon, or of Japan; but they are larger than those of the former, and are of a more regular form. than those of the latter place. Their colour inclines to yellow, but they possess an advantage over others, in maintaining their lustre; while those which are white, particularly in hot climates, lose their brilliance in the course of time. The shell, known as nacre or mother-of-pearl, is applied to many purposes in all parts of Asia. The pearls. of irregular form and size pass to Constantinople and Turkey; the large ones are worn as ornaments in the hair, and those of a smaller size are employed in embroidery. The perfect pearls are sent to Surat, and all parts of Hindoostàn. There is little fear of much diminution in their consumption or price, in the East. They are the passion of

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the women, and a superstition increases the sale of this product of the sea. There is not an individual of them who does not deem it a matter of religious importance to pierce one pearl at least on the occasion of his nuptials. Let the meaning of this mysterious custom be what it may, amongst a people whose policy and morals are enveloped in allegories, and amongst whom religion itself is but an allegory, this emblem of virgin purity is advantageous to commerce. Those pearls which have not been recently bored, are used in decoration; but they will not answer in the bridal ceremony, at which there is required at least one fresh pearl.*

The exports from Muscat are, wheat, dates, horses, raisins, salted and dried fish, Mocha coffee, and a great variety of drugs. The productions of Eastern Africa, the Red Sea, the South-east coast of Arabia, and the countries bordering on, and accessible from the Persian Gulf, are generally found in the market. The articles imported in exchange are rice, cotton and woollen goods, iron, lead, sugar, and some spices. From its situation being the key to the Persian Gulf, vessels from all its shores resort here; from this circumstance, it may become a place of deposit and sale of mer

* Establecimientos Ultramarinos, tom. ii., Madrid, 1785.

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COMMERCE OF MUSCAT.

chandise destined for the markets of Bassorah and Persia. Trade is carried on between Muscat and the Red Sea, the East coast of Africa, the Persian Gulf, Mauritius or Isle of France, many parts of continental and insular India, and China; but to what extent, I have no means of ascertaining, though it is very considerable. There is here an insurance company, all the members of which are Banyans; and, "notwithstanding," said an Arab merchant to me, "that the Koran requires the Moslem to trust in God alone for success in all transactions, the merchants of Muscat usually insure their ships and cargoes before committing them to the perils of the great deep."

The exports from the East coast of Africa, are gum copal, ivory, tortoise-shell, rhinoceros-hides and horns, bees'-wax, cocoanut-oil, ox-hides, rice, millet, ghee, colombo-root, aloes, gum-arabic, and a variety of other drugs. It is this prince's possessions in Africa, which give value to the treaty just concluded between the government of the United States and the Sultan. Those countries have become an entrepôt for American cottons, which find their way thence up the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, and thus to the markets of Persia, where they are preferred over the English fabrics.*

*Burnes's Travels in Bokhara.