354 
MOCHA. 
the Viziet' at Sana about religion, broke his windows, and com- 
mitted several other outrages. They were originally confined in 
the island of Zeila,but the Dola there, finding that the violent heat 
of the climate injured their health, humanely sent them back to 
Mocha, where they still remain, without a hope of release. They 
are fanatics, and regularly chant their evening prayers in a plain- 
tive, and by no means unpleasing manner. 
The Arabs, in general, seem to care very little about their reli- 
gion. Friday is no otherwise distinguished, than by the flag of the 
Imaum being hoisted on the forts, and the troops being paraded in 
the square, whilst the lower orders carry on their usual occupa- 
tions. Money will, at any time, induce an Arab to wave his preju- 
dices, of which a curious instance occurred during my first residence 
at the British factory. Captain Keys had given a pig to Mr. Pringle, 
which the Lascars of the Antelope refused to bring on shore. Some 
fishermen were however easily procured, who, for the usual fee of 
a dollar, brought it safe to the factory. Admiral Blanket, the chief 
of the fishermen, attended it himself, in a state of perfect intoxica- 
tion ; but this was probably done to diminish his scruples in touch- 
ing so unclean an animal. 
A longer residence among the Arabs settled in towns, has only 
increased the detestation and contempt, with which I behold them. 
They have all the vices of civilised society, without having quitted 
those of a savage state. Scarcely possessed of a single good quality, 
they believe themselves superior to every other nation ; and, though 
inveterate cowards, they are cruel and revengeful. Superstitious 
followers of Mahommed, they do not obey one moral precept of the 
Koran; and though they perform the prescribed ablutions with 
