(Ras-el-Khyma) was burned, some other places belonging to them were taken, and a large number of their vessels were destroyed. F. How many, Sir?

U. O. I do not exactly know; but I dare say, more than a hundred, as not less than sixty were destroyed at Ras-el-Khyma alone.

F. Indeed! had they so many?

U. O. You do not seem to see how powerful these pirates were. At that time they were calculated to have in their different ports sixtythree large vessels, and eight hundred and ten of smaller sizes, carrying altogether about nineteen thousand men. This punishment obliged them to make an agreement not to molest English vessels. They observed this engagement for several years; but when they recovered strength, they grew less respectful to the English flag, and it became necessary to punish them again, since which they have acted with more caution. They seldom make an attack unless the advantage is greatly on their side; but if they meet with an unexpected resistance they fight with great fury, for they believe very firmly that the joys of paradise come immediately and certainly to him who dies fighting

with the infidels; and they regard as infidels all who are not of their own sect.

Let us now go down the Gulf upon the map, and on our way stop a little to consider anything curious or interesting. Here, at the entrance of the passage leading to the Gulf, on the shore of Cape Bombarek, there is a singular mass of rock standing by itself, in which a large natural aperture may be seen from the ships that are passing. It may be compared in shape to a jug, the handle of which is formed by this hole.

Off Cape Mussenden lie five small islands, which are called altogether the Quoins, from their resemblance to the quoin of a gun, but the natives call them Bunat, or the Sisters. The rock of which both the islands and the cape are composed is limestone. Nothing grows but wild sorrel, which is found in the clefts of the rock. On passing at this place it is usual for the native traders from India to throw cocoa-nuts and other fruits into the sea, as an offering which may procure them a favourable voyage. It is also common to set afloat near the Quoins a little ship, rigged and in sailing order, and bearing a sample of all the merchandise in the vessel that sends it forth. It is launched in the midst of prayers for

its safety, and its progress is watched as eagerly as if the fate of the ship undoubtedly depended upon it. If the little vessel goes towards land, they think their voyage will be safe and favourable. Some of these little barks are occasionally met with many miles out at sea.

Jane. And does what happens to the little ship really happen to the big one?

H. No, no! What is there in the little one that the lot of the big one should depend upon it ?

J. Then why do they think so?

H. I don't know.

U. O. Because they are ignorant. The difference between us and them is owing to education, not to our being naturally any better or wiser than they are. Ignorant people in all countries, even in this, are full of such silly fancies.

The island of Ormuz, which lies near the shore opposite Cape Mussenden, presents a singular appearance. The island is a mass of rocks as various in colour as in shape; some are dark brown, others reddish, greenish or ashen grey; some are almost black, while others are so white that they look as if covered with snow, but they are in fact composed of rock-salt,

of which the soil of the island for the most part consists, and large quantities of which are continually taken away for use and sale. It is, in fact, the only article now exported from the island, which was so famous for its commerce when in the possession of the Portuguese, that the "wealth of Ormuz" was a proverb. Perhaps you remember, Henry, what Milton says of Ormuz.

H. I cannot repeat it, Sir; but I know where to find it.

U. O. Pray find it, then.

(Henry looks for the passage in Paradise Lost,' and, having found it, reads)—

"High on a throne of royal state, which far
Outshone the wealth of Ormuz and of Ind,
Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand,
Show'rs on her kings barbaric pearl and gold."

U. O. That will do. You see that Milton endeavours to convey the idea of an object of more than human splendour, by saying that it far outshone the wealth of Ormuz. I remember that Sir Thomas Herbert, who travelled in those countries before Milton wrote, quotes a Latin verse about Ormuz, which he thus translates :

"If all the world were made into a ring,

Ormuz the grace and gem should be therein."

Sir Thomas was at Ormuz only a few years after its glory was overthrown; and speaking of its former state, he says "It was a city for building so elegant, for inhabitants so populous, and for trade so singular, that it sat as an empress, not only alluring merchants and travellers from all parts of the world, but, by means of its marine power, gave laws to all the neighbouring potentates." The island has now no habitable spot except the fort, which was built more than 300 years ago by the Portuguese; and the only inhabitants are a few Arabs and black slaves, who are kept there to prevent the pirates from taking possession of the island. The fort is still in tolerable repair, and contains some large Portuguese cannon. The island is covered with ruins, among which silver crucifixes are sometimes found by the inhabitants. It does not contain a single spring of fresh water.

F. Sir, what made the Portuguese go so far from their own country as the Persian Gulf?

U. O. They had at that time great power in India, and were enriched by having the trade between Europe and India in their hands. Their settlements in the Gulf, of which Ormuz was the chief, were made to prevent rivals from establish