'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎653] (752/905)

CHAP. XXIV.]
MODERN TRADE.
653
in spices, Turkey carpets, quilts, or such other things as might
please her majesty. 1 The spirit of the sovereign animated the
merchants of those days ; and we find Fitch, Newberrie, and
others, following the steps of the enterprising Genoese mer
chant Balbi in his descent of the Euphrates with merchandise j Decline of the
this continued to be the route till the discovery of the passage ancient trade '
round the Cape of Good Hope gave a fatal check to the com
merce of Arabia. Previously to that discovery this territory
was the grand centre of the land trade; whereas, at present, it
is traversed only by the caravans proceeding from Aleppo and
Damascus towards Kurdistan and Mesopotamia. A few set
out from Damascus and Jerusalem, and also from Egypt and
'Oman to the interior of the country; those from the last-men
tioned territory convey Indian goods, and are usually accom
panied by pilgrims.
The sea trade is almost exclusively confined to the two gulfs,
and is carried on in Arab bottoms. The Imam of Maskat Revenue of
derives 26,250/. annually from 'Oman, besides what he receives Maskat!™ of
from Zingebar, where he chiefly resides. Vessels arriving and
departing from Mokha to India in the summer season pay
about 7000 dollars per month, and 4000 dollars at other times.
In 1814 the customs at Jiddah amounted to 400,000 dollars,
and its trade, including the caravans to Mekkah and Medina,
to about four millions of dollars. 2
From the neighbouring province of Nedjd are exported chiefly Exports and
horses and camels, and the woollen cloaks already mentioned. imp01ts '
In return there are received from the country about Baghdad
rice, and articles of clothing, especially the showy kefiyeh ;
and from the western coast coffee, drugs, and other products
of Arabia. The goods are landed in the ports of Syria, and
also on the coasts of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; from
which points they are transported into the interior by cara
vans, consisting of from 500 to 5000 camels; and even 20,000
are sometimes collected to proceed along one of the lines just
mentioned. The caravans are usually loaded each way and
pass freely, unless chance should throw them into the way of
i Coti Nero, b. VIII., 47; a.d . 1583.
8 Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia, vol. I., p. 94.