34 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
The position attained by Zanzibar, as a commer- 
cial city, is chiefly to be attributed to the presence 
of the western peoples. It has thriven in spite of 
a most prejudicial government. An Arab govern- 
ment is necessarily a Muhammadan government, and 
Muhammadanism carries with it two essential concomi- 
tants enough to bear down any nation or people, viz., 
polygamy and slavery. Where such a system exists, 
progress is impossible. It lays an embargo upon all 
civilization. Sapping, as it does, the foundation of 
all morality, it destroys the physical energy, ener- 
vates the mental power, and hangs like a dead 
weight upon every people who are its victims. 
The population of the city of Zanzibar has been 
variously estimated at different periods. It is im- 
possible to speak with accuracy upon such a subject, 
and all that can be done is to compare one place 
with another, make certain allowances, and then to 
guess. It is against Muhammadan law to take 
a census, and this law the people observe with re- 
markable fidelity. They are more consistent than 
was David m this respect. They carry it to such 
extremes, that they will not confess that they know 
the number of their own households, and even object 
to say how many children they may possess. Who 
are they, that they should count the favours of God ! 
This ultra-piety looks absurd enough when compared 
with their general conduct. 
At a rough estimate, the population of the city can- 
not be less than from 70,000 to 100,000 souls, while on 
the island there are probably 150,000 more. Alto- 
gether, Zanzibar must possess a population of from 
200,000 to 300,000. 
