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CIVIL HISTORY AND 



sleepy at times by their heavy lids and long dark 

 lashes ; his beard was full and black, without the 

 assistance of dye j his mustachios being dipt rather 

 short, and allowing part of the cheek to be seen. 

 His dress was the plain Arab costume, a white cot- 

 ton gown with wide sleeves, opening down the 

 breast, but buttoned to the throat, and reaching to 

 the ankles ; round his waist was a scarf of blue 

 checked cotton, in which was stuck a silver-hilted 

 dagger or jambea. A blue checked cotton handker- 

 chief was wound round his head, the ends hanging 

 down, and bordered with red, green, and yellow. 

 His sword was of the Persian form, in a plain black 

 scabbard. The chief minister, Said Abdul Kaher, 

 was as plainly dressed as his master. Neither of 

 them wore jewel nor ornament of any kind. 



The palace is the most conspicuous edifice in the 

 town : it stands close by the sea, is three stories high, 

 and might be mistaken for a merchant's counting- 

 house and store-rooms. The hall of audience is a ve- 

 randa overhanging the water, under the terrace of 

 which boats pull up to land visiters. The floor was 

 covered with a common Persian carpet, and the fur- 

 niture consisted of a table and a few plain chairs in 

 the European fashion. A collation was served of 

 fruits, sweetmeats, and sherbets, set out in cut crystal 

 of the most elegant fabric. Though naturally gentle, 

 this prince is not deficient in energy and decision 

 when occasion requires. His courage in battle was 

 frequently signalized while co-operating with the 

 British forces ; particularly in the expedition with 

 Sir John Malcolm against the Arab pirates in the 

 Gulf, where his assistance materially contributed to 

 their suppression. At the attack of one of the towns, 



