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.

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ADEN.

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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.