136 CIVIL HISTORY AND 



Sales and markets are regulated by their own emir; 

 the principal gates in cities and fortresses are in- 

 trusted to similar officers ; even the post of chief 

 jailor and watchman is honourable, and an object 

 of ambition. Where the governments are consider- 

 able, the dowlahs are attended by a bas-kateb, or 

 comptroller, whose business it is to keep a strict eye 

 upon their conduct, and acquaint the imam with 

 the general state of affairs. This spy, by his misre- 

 presentations, often supplants the governor ; but he 

 is himself placed at the mercy of another bas-kateb, 

 and shares in his turn the fate of his predecessor. 



The revenues of the imam arise both from a 

 land and a poll tax, and from duties payable on 

 articles of merchandise. Coffee affords a very con- 

 siderable income, as the crown is entitled to receive 

 a fourth part of the selling price before it can be put 

 on board ship for exportation. The different de- 

 partments vary in their contributions according to 

 circumstances. Niebuhr learned that Mocha, in the 

 summer season, when vessels from India arrive and 

 depart, paid 7000 crowns per month, at other times 

 only 4000; Loheia yielded 3000 crowns; Hodei- 

 da, 1400; Beit el Fakih, 3600 ; and Zebid, 1400.* 

 It is difficult to obtain accurate knowledge either of 

 the revenue or expenditure of the Arabian princes. 

 Strangers are obliged to use great caution in putting 

 questions on this subject, otherwise their curiosity 

 may cost them their head. Oraki, a Jew, and 

 surveyor-general of buildings, the person whom the 

 Danish traveller consulted, estimated the income of 

 Mahadi at 830,000 crowns, or 188,306, a-month ; 

 but in consequence of the temporary loss of Kataba, 



* The German crown is equal to 4s. O^d. nearly. 



