140 



CIVIL HISTORY AND 



the evening retire to their own habitations. Many 

 of them carry on a very considerable trade, and are 

 occasionally advanced to places of trust. Oraki was an 

 eminent merchant before he was made by the imam 

 comptroller of customs and surveyor of the royal 

 buildings and gardens. He had incurred the displea- 

 sure of his master shortly before the arrival of the 

 Danish traveller, and his disgrace involved his coun- 

 trymen in a severe persecution. Fourteen of their 

 synagogues were demolished by order of the govern- 

 ment; all the stone pitchers in which they kept their 

 wine were broken ; all their houses above 14 cubits 

 high (25 J feet) were pulled down, and none exceed- 

 ing that height were permitted to be raised in future. 

 Fruits are very abundant. It is said there are 

 more than twenty different species of grapes, one of 

 which is without stones ; and as they do not all ripen 

 at the same time they continue to afford a delicious 

 refreshment for several months. By preserving and 

 hanging them in their cellars the citizens secure an 

 agreeable food the greater part of the year. Vast 

 quantities of them are dried; and the exporta- 

 tion of raisins forms a considerable branch of traf- 

 fic. The adjacent plain of Rodda is covered with 

 gardens, and watered by small streams. Tim- 

 ber for firewood is scarce and dear, the hills in 

 the vicinity being bleak and bare ; so that this 

 article is brought from the distance of three days' 

 journey, and a camel's load costs two crowns. 

 There is a partial supply of pit-coal, and even peat 

 is used, but of so bad a quality as to require a mix- 

 ture of straw to make it burn. The castle contains 

 a mint, and a series of prisons for persons of differ- 

 ent ranks. It is the residence of several princes of 



