GOVERNMENT OF ARABIA. 141 



and containing several elegant buildings. Of these 

 the finest were the public baths : they were all lined 

 with marble or jasper, covered with a handsome 

 dome, open at the top for the admission of light, 

 and adorned inside with galleries, supported by 

 magnificent pillars. The markets were stored with 

 meat, fish, and other provisions of excellent quality. 

 Many of the houses were handsome, and two stori*s 

 high ; but the heaps of rubbish and ruins testified 

 that its ancient splendour was gone. The town lies 

 at the foot of high rocky mountains, which surround 

 it almost on every side ; on their summits and in 

 the narrow passes were several forts. Towards the 

 sea, by which alone the city can be approached by 

 a very narrow causeway or peninsula, the access 

 was guarded by five or six batteries of brass can- 

 non. The bay is eight or nine leagues wide at the 

 opening, and affords good anchorage, from eighteen 

 to twenty fathoms. The scenery around is of a 

 wild and savage character, giving few indications 

 of that felicity or delight of which its name is said 

 to be the expression. Cape Aden is a very lofty 

 and steep rock, which the mariner can descry at the 

 distance of 15 or 20 leagues. To this small state 

 pertain a number of inferior towns and castles. 



The principality of Kaukeban was ruled by imams 

 of its own, claiming their descent from Mohammed, 

 until they were obliged to yield up the title to Khas- 

 sem, the new Arabian conqueror. The chiefs of 

 Kobail compose a sort of confederacy (Heschid-u- 

 Bekel) for their mutual defence ; their subjects 

 make excellent soldiers. The territory of Jafa is 

 surrounded by that of Aden, and was under the 

 dominion of Sanaa until the end of the 17th century, 

 when the inhabitants revolted from the imam. In 

 these districts are a multitude of petty sovereigns, 

 the chief of whom take the title of sultans ; Jafa and 

 Jof being the only part of Arabia where that name 

 is used. Abu-Ari&h and Mareb are governed by 

 sheriffs ; the latter lies 16 leagues north-east from 



