JIDDA. 201 



sils, are generally imported. In a street adjoining 

 the great market-place, live a few artisans, black- 

 smiths, silversmiths, carpenters, and some butchers, 

 chiefly natives of Egypt. 



Jidda may be called a modern town; for, although 

 known in ancient times as the harbour of Mecca, its 

 importance as a market for Indian goods can only 

 be traced to the beginning of the fifteenth century. 

 During the predominance of the Wahabees it had 

 been in a declining state ; its trade was much de- 

 pressed, and many of the houses had gone to ruin. 

 Since the conquests of the Egyptians, however, 

 it has recovered its former condition, and is now as 

 flourishing as at any period in its history. In 1823 

 it had a Turkish governor, Rustan Aga, who lived 

 in great state, and kept a considerable military esta- 

 blishment. Burckhardt states the number of inha- 

 bitants generally at from 12,000 to 15,000; but about 

 the time of the pilgrimage, and during the summer 

 months, there is a great influx of strangers, which in- 

 creases that amount perhaps one-half: they are al- 

 most exclusively foreigners. The settlers from India, 

 Egypt, Syria, Barbary, Turkey, and other nations, 

 maybe still recognised in the features of their descend- 

 ants, who are all mixed in one general mass, and live 

 and dress in the same manner. The aboriginal tribes 

 who once peopled the town have either perished by the 

 hands of the governors, or been driven to other parts 

 of the country ; those who can be truly called na- 

 tives are merely a few families of sheriff's, who are 

 attached to the mosques or the courts of justice. 

 This mixture of races is the effect of the pilgrimage, 

 which every year adds fresh numbers to the popu- 

 lation. The Jiddawees are almost entirely engaged 



