The Alps of Arabia: Travels in Egypt, Sinai, Arabia, and the Holy Land

London: Henry S. King & Company, 1874. Octavo. Second Edition. Frontispiece map, xvi, 374 pages and 32pages publisher's ads. Maughan's time began with visiting of the various sites of religious significance. As he became more acquainted with the Bedouins, he learned much of their lifestyle. While divorce was common to those with vast holdings (it usually required the donation of a she camel to the wife's family), some who were wealthy had as many as 50 divorces. Women were expected to spend their days, cleaning, raising children, dealing with the animals. If the male was present, they might be allowed to drink coffee in the presence of a visitor from (truncated) outside the tribe. Many interesting observations on the various peoples of Arabia and a nice chapter on Mount Sinai and its monks. Bound in brown cloth, both covers decorated in black, spine lettering gilt and decorated in black, black coated endpapers, a few nicks to joints and corners, light wear to spine ends. A very good copy. (Inventory #: 028964)