My Simple Rule Has Been, Never To Keep A Person Who Did Not
Suit Me, And To Treat Those Who Did With Kindness And Indulgence.
The
system has always answered, and I am probably on that account the less
inclined to sympathize with persons who are eternally complaining.
There may be some excuse at Aden for the conversation turning upon
domestic matters of this kind, and perhaps I do the station injustice
in supposing that they form a common topic. With the exception of
those persons who take pleasure in the anticipation of the improvement
of the surrounding tribes, there is very little to interest European
residents in this arid spot. Should, however, the hopes which many
enlightened individuals entertain be realized, or the prospect of
their fulfilment continue unclouded, those who now endure a dreary
exile in a barren country, and surrounded by a hostile people, will
or ought to derive much consolation from the thought, that their
employment upon a disagreeable duty may prove of the utmost benefit to
thousands of their fellow-creatures. It is pleasant to look forward to
the civilization of Abyssinia, and other more remote places, by means
of commercial intercourse with Aden.
CHAPTER VIII.
* * * * *
ADEN.
* * * * *
Commanding situation of Aden - Its importance in former times - But few
remains of its grandeur - Its facilities as a retreat for the piratical
hordes of the Desert - The loss of its trade followed by reduction
of the population - Speculations as to the probability of ultimately
resisting the Arabs - Exaggerated notions entertained by the Shiekhs of
the wealth of the British - Aden a free Port would be the Queen of the
adjacent Seas - Its advantages over Mocha - The Inhabitants of Aden - The
Jews - The Banians - The Soomalees - The Arabs - Hopes of the prosperity
of Aden - Goods in request there - Exports - Re-embarkation on the
Steamer - Want of attention - Makallah - Description of the place - Its
products - The Gazelle - Traveller in Abyssinia - Adventurous English
Travellers - Attractions of the Arab life - Arrival at Bombay.
Wretched and miserable as the appearance of Aden must be deemed at
the present moment, its commanding situation rendered it of great
importance in former times. During the reign of Constantine, it was an
opulent city, forming one of the great emporia for the commerce of
the East. The sole remains of the grandeur it once boasted consists of
about ninety dilapidated stone houses, the greater number of dwellings
which seem to shelter its scanty population being nothing more than
huts rudely constructed of reeds. These wretched tenements, huddled
together without the slightest attempt at regularity, occupy the
crater of an extinct volcano. Unrelieved by trees, and assimilating
in colour with the arid soil and barren hills rising around, they
scarcely convey an idea of the purpose for which they are designed.
A stranger, entering Aden, finds it difficult to believe that he is in
the midst of an inhabited place, the houses appearing to be fewer in
number, and more insignificant, than a closer inspection proves them
to be.
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