'Koweit: A Report' [‎53v] (115/140)

24
needs of the Bedouins’ herds of frugal goats, even on the ap
parently arid plain round the town of Koweit ; but the best
grazing grounds, much frequented by Bedouins, are those around
Jehara, Kathama Bay, and thence along the northern shore,
between the “ Al-Aghati ” heights and the water’s edge. No
sign of cultivation can be seen on the higher ground north and
north-west of these heights.
The resources of Koweit are entirely commercial. Its geo
graphical position as the only seaport for the Jebel Shammer
district of Central Arabia, as well as its mercantile aspect,
in this respect, has been compared with Trieste’s somewhat
similar position with regard to Austria.
Palgrave remarks on this similarity, and considered it to
conduce to a continuance of the good relations existing in his
day (1862-63) between the Sheikhs of Koweit and those of
Hayil. This, however, has not been the case, since Sheikh
Mubarak’s accession. The loss of trade, due to the disturbed
state of things which has obtained of late years, must have been
considerable, and the anxiety of Ibn Rashid to possess himself
of Koweit, or at the least to set up a Sheikh there friendly and I
subordinate to himself, is easily understood. The natural ad
vantages of this seaport,^ for the import of rice, cloth, and other
an ares, necessities of life, even for the simple wants of the
Arabs, as well as for the export of horses, sheep, wool, and the
like products of the interior, are evident and lasting.
Bedouins bring horses, cattle, mutton, milk, butter, &c, ^
which they barter for dates, clothes, arms, and other o'oods,
Horse-dealers are said to prefer shipping from Koweit, to* run-
mng the gauntlet of the river Customs houses, bad climate,
and other inconveniences of Basrah. Horse forage is brought
down the Bubiyan Creek from Bunder Zobeir.
Pishing is evidently a considerable industry ; the fish weirs
on the flat beach between Koweit and the open sea are a very
conspicuous object. Besides the fish most commonly met with
in Eastern waters, excellent soles are to be had, which would
be, no doubt, a feature in the “menu” of the hotels, should this
Iw b nn r ever becom e the ocean terminus for any railway such as
that now contemplated. J
daU ’ ° r fi P res of an X k 'nd, make it impos-
l! b Xfi? e , s ‘ lmate "? e amount of trade passing through the port.
In 1863, however, imports from India (long-cloths, rice, coffee,