Jean de la Roque

The first part of La Roque’s Voyage to Arabia Fœlix describes Yemen and Mocha; the second part describes a journey made by the officers of two French ships stationed at Mocha to the King of Yemen on his invitation. 

• Jean de la Roque (French).
• A Voyage to Arabia Fœlix through the Eastern Ocean and the straits of the Red Sea, being the first made by the French in 1708-10, together with a particular account from Mocha to Muab, or Moahib, the court of Yemen, in 1711-15,; also a narrative concerning the tree and fruit of coffee translated from the French to which is added an account of the captivity of Sir Henry Middleton at Mokha by the Turks in 1612.
• London: Printed for E. Symon, 1732.
• Octavo.
• Initial approbation leaf, two folding engraved plates.
• First English edition.
• Bound in contemporary paneled calf.

Mocha at this time was a considerable trading center. Remarks on the landscape and crops also on the court of the King of Yemen, his dress and harem. The travelers commented on the fact that there were no mosques in the city and that the King of Yemen worshipped in a tent.