but of all who delight to search, patiently and reverently, into the ways of Providence. With the Koran in one hand, and the scimitar in the other, the impetuous and indomitable Arab achieved a series of splendid victories unparalleled in the history of nations; for in the short space of eighty years that mighty range of Saracenic conquest embraced a wider extent of territory than Rome had mastered in the course of eight hundred. It is evident that a work designed for popular circulation, and which is intended to allure those whom business or indolence may prevent from more laborious reading, requires a nice combination of qualities which do not often meet together in the same intellect accuracy, judgment, taste, and scholarship-all of which, it will be seen, are exhibited in Ockley's pages. The most unqualified praise has been awarded to the author for the laborious research and unwearied energy displayed under peculiar difficulties, which has resulted in the production of a work at once enriching the literature of our country, and furnishing materials of the highest importance to historians and travellers of every age. Gibbon made considerable use of this work, in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," where he speaks of Ockley as "a learned and spirited interpreter of Arabian authorities, whose tales and traditions afford an artless picture of the men and the times;" and in his Autobio 66 graphy he describes him as an original in every sense, who had opened his eyes." Professor Smyth, also, in his recent Lectures on Modern History, recommends "Ockley's curious work as necessary to enable the student to comprehend the character of the Arabians, which is there displayed by their own writers in all its singularities." A writer in the Quarterly Review (No. xxix.) likewise adds, that "the History of the Saracens is a splendid instance of success in this most difficult branch of authorship, and will considerably overpay a perusal, by the strong moral painting and dramatic vivacity with which the vigorous writer diversified and elevated his subjects." The literary character of the work being so well established, and the last edition having become extremely scarce, the reasons for its republication must be obvious. In preparing the present Edition for the Press, it is confidently hoped, that the various improvements introduced throughout, have enhanced its value, and will entitle it to a high degree of popular favour. The entire work is now compressed in a single volume, printed from the third and best edition of 1757, which appeared in two volumes, 8vo, and it has been enriched with considerable additions in the form of Notes, from the researches of later writers on Arabian History, particularly Major Price, Burckhardt, Mills, Lane, Dr. Weil, and Don Pascual de Gayangos. The orthography of the Oriental names, which in the work as left by Ockley was by no means uniform, has, as far as possible, been reduced to the standard now most generally acceptable to English readers. A Memoir In a future volume it is intended to give a continuation of YORK STREET, March, 1847. H. G. B. LIFE OF MOHAMMED. Born A.D. 571, died A.D. 632. AN. HEJ.11. Ancient Arabs The Kaaba-Birth and family of Mohammed- Traditions of his childhood-Marries Kadija-Writes the Koran- His mission-First converts-Marries Ayesha, Hafsa, &c.-Tradi- tions of his night-journey to heaven-Persecuted by the Koreish- Flight to Medina-Victory at Beder-Defeat at Ohud-Prohibits wine War of the Ditch-Marries Zainab and Juweirah-Ayesha's intrigue-Submission of Mecca-Nearly poisoned-Bewitched by the Jews-His amours with Mary-Conquest of Arabia-Marches into Syria-Farewell pilgrimage to Mecca-His death-His person and character-His wives-The Koran-His miracles-Mohamme- dan religion-Mohammedan creed and practice. ABUBEKER. AN. HEJ. 11—14. A.D. 632-634 Election of Caliph-General disaffection of the Arabians-Malec Ebn Noweirah beheaded by Kaled-Moseilama the false prophet defeated and slain-War with Syria--Kaled, general-Bostra taken -Siege of Damascus-Battle of Ajnadin-Damascus taken-Abu- beker's sickness and death-Collected the Koran into one volume- OMAR I. AN. HEJ. 13-23. a.d, 634—643 Sends Abu Obeidah Ebn Masud into Persia-Death of Abu Obeidah-War with Persia -Slaughter of the Damascenes-Story of the two lovers-Deposition of Kaled-Fair at Dair Abi'l Kodas -Siege of Hems or Emesa, raised by Abu Obeidah Ebn Jerahh- Kinnisrin taken-Siege of Baalbec-Hems taken-Arrestan taken— Battle of Yermouk-Siege of Jerusalem-Omar's journey-Treaty with the inhabitants-Victories in Persia-Siege of Aleppo-Suc- cessful stratagem of Dames- Aazaz taken-Surrender of Antioch- Omar writes to Heraclius-Plague in Syria-Amrou's conquests in Egypt-Treacherous surrender of Misrah-Alexandria taken, and library burnt-Assassination of Omar-His person and character- OTHMAN. AN. HEJ. 23-35. A.D. 643-655. Chosen Caliph by six commissioners—Deposes Amrou-Moawiyah invades Cyprus-Death of Yezdejird - Disaffection of the Saracens -Revolt at Cufah-Merwan's ill-ministration-Othman's palace besieged-His death and character. ALI. AN. HEJ. 35-40. A.D. 655-661 Dissensions among the Arabians-Ali consents to become Caliph Page 287 Ayesha Writes to Cufah-Ayesha's letter-Defeat of Ayesha-Dis- HASAN. AN. HEJ. 40, 41. A.D. 660, 661 Dissensions in the caliphate-Hasan proffers the throne to Moa- 346 1. MOAWIYAH I. AN. HEJ. 41-60. A.D. 661-679 Birth and descent of Moawiyah-Death of Amrou-Ziyad, the Caliph's brother-Story of Character and anecdotes of-Execution of Hejer-Siege of Constantinople-Kairwan built-Makes Damas- cus his capital-Death of Ziyad-Makes the caliphate hereditary- Death of Ayesha-Death of Moawiyah-His patronage of letters -Anecdotes of-His character-The first Caliph who formed a 2. YEZID I. AN. HEJ. 60-64. A.D. 679-683. Hosein endeavours to obtain the caliphate-Disaffection at Cufah -Destruction of Hosein's party and his melancholy death-His family-Traditions concerning his head--Anecdotes of-Revolt of Abdallah, the son of Zobeir-Rebellion at Mecca-Abdallah be- sieged in Mecca--Death of Yezid-His character. 3. MOAWIYAH II. AN. HEJ. 64. A.D. 683 4. MERWAN I. AN. HEJ. 64, 65. A.D. 683, 684 Proclaimed in Syria--Defeats Abdallah-Marries Yezid's widow --Proceedings at Cufah to revenge Hosein's death--The Cufians march towards Syria--Cut to pieces by Obeidollah Ziyad--Death of Merwan by poison-His character. 5. ABDALMELIK. AN. HEJ. 65-86. A.D. 684--705 Insurrection of Al Moktar--Death of Obeidollah--Death of Al Moktar-Murder of Amrou, son of Saïd-Musab assumes the go- vernment of Cufah-Expedition against him-His death-Hejaj be- sieges Mecca-Death of Abdallah, the son of Zobeir-Abdalmelik acknowledged Caliph throughout Arabia-Cruelty of Hejaj-Insur- rection of Shebib and Salehh at Mosule-Arabian money first |