CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

THE ABBASSIDES, OR CALIPHS OF BAGDAD.

Accession of the Abbassides-Caliphs of that Dynasty-Almansor
-Haroun al Raschid-Almamoun-Motassem - Capricious
Cruelty of Motawakkel-Magnificence of the Caliphs-Weak-
ness and Corruption of their Government—Their Military Opera-
tions-Wars of Haroun al Raschid and his Successors with the
Romans-Victories of Nicephorus Phocas and John Zimisces
over the Moslems-Causes of the Downfal of the Abbassides-
Despotic Power of the Turkish Guards-Ravages and Cruelties
of the Karmathians-Dismemberment of the Empire into inde-
pendent Principalities-Persia usurped by petty Dynasties-Con-
quests of Mahmoud of Ghizni in India-Irruptions of the Tartars
-Togrul Beg appointed Viceroy of the Mohammedan Domi-
nions-Hoolaku lays Siege to Bagdad- Surrender and Pillage
of that Capital-Death of Mostasem and Extinction of the Ca-
liphate,........

Page 13

CHAPTER II.

CALIPHS OF AFRICA, EGYPT, AND SPAIN.

The Aglabites or Caliphs of Cairoan-Military Exploits of the

Western Arabs-Reduction of Crete-Conquest of Sicily-In-

vasion of Italy-Pillage of Rome-Siege of Gaeta-Naval Vic-

tory of the Christians-Subjugation of Corsica and Sardinia by

the Saracens-Expulsion of the Aglabites-Moorish Kingdom

of Timbuctoo-Dynasty of the Fatimites in Egypt-Their Sub-

version by Saladin, Founder of the Ayubites-Dynasty of the

Ommiades in Spain founded by Abdalrahman-Their Power and

Magnificence-Extinction of the Caliphate-Conquest of Gra-

nada by Ferdinand-Wealth and Population of the Moorish Ca-

pitals-The Government, Arms, and Military Tactics of the

Arabs-Revenue, Trade, and Marine of Spain under the Sara-

cens-Reduction of Sicily by the Normans, and final Overthrow

of the Mohammedan Power in Europe,.............................

CHAPTER III.

LITERATURE OF THE ARABS.

..Page 47

The Arabs turn their Attention to Learning-Their rapid Progress

-Literary Ardour and Patronage of the Caliphs-Haroun al

Raschid-Almamoun-Vathek-College of Mostanser at Bag-

dad Academies and Libraries founded in Persia, Syria, Egypt,

Africa, and Spain-Course of Study in the Saracen Schools-

Grammar-Rhetoric-Poetry-Tales-Arabian Nights' Enter-

tainments-Storytellers-History-Biography-Numismatics—

Geography-Statistics-Metaphysics- Medicine and Medical

Authors-Rhazes-Avicenna-Pharmacy-Anatomy and Sur-

gery-Botany-Chemistry-Astrology-Astronomy-Optics—

Mathematics—Trigonometry—Algebra-Arithmetic-Architec-

-

ture The Fine Arts-Painting-Calligraphy-Music—Agri-

culture Manufactures in Steel, Porcelain, and Leather-Claims

of the Arabs as the Restorers of Letters and the Importers of

useful Arts and Inventions into Europe,.................

CHAPTER IV.

CIVIL HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF ARABIA.

..71

Extinction of the Saracen Power-Formation of new Kingdoms in

the East Victories and Dominions of Timur-Conquests of the

Turks and Portuguese in Arabia-Selim I. obtains the Investi-

ture of the Caliphate-Expulsion of the Turks by the independ-

ent Arab Chiefs-Dominions of the Imam of Sanaa-His Go-

vernment, Revenues, and Military Force-Description of Sanaa

Visits of European Travellers to that Capital-Principal Towns

in Yemen Beit el Fakih-Taas-Mocha-Aden-Government

of Hadramaut-Of Oman-Description of Muscat-Court, Re-

venues, and Commercial Enterprise of the Imam-Islands of Bah-

rein-Pearl Fisheries-Depredations of the Joassamee Pirates in

the Persian Gulf Various Expeditions from India to suppress

them-Reduction of Ras el Khyma and their principal Fortresses

-Arab Settlers on the Persian Frontier-Classification of the

wandering Bedouin Tribes-Their migratory Habits and military

Strength-Government of their Sheiks-Their Laws and Judicial

Trials-Reflections on their Political Institutions,....... Page 125

CHAPTER V.

HEJAZ, OR HOLY LAND OF THE MOSLEM.

Government of Hejaz-Succession and Power of the Sheriffs-

Reign of Ghaleb Sheriff Families at Mecca-Cities and Towns

in Hejaz-Jidda-Yembo-Taïf-Mecca-Description of the

Beitullah or Grand Temple-The Court and Colonnades-The

Kaaba The Black Stone-The Tob or Covering of the Kaaba-

The Zemzem Well-Servants and Revenues of the Mosque-

Inhabitants of Mecca-Their Character, Domestic Manners, and

Employments-Low State of Arts and Learning in Hejaz,...191

CHAPTER VI.

THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE.

The Pilgrim-caravans Their different Routes-Description and

Number of Pilgrims—The Mahmal-The Ihram-Duties of the

Pilgrims on arriving at Mecca-Walk to Safra and Omra-Jour-

ney to Arafat-Sermon of the Cadi-Curious Appearance of the

Scene-Stoning of the Devil-The Feast of Sacrifice-Return

of the Procession to Mecca-Visit to the Interior of the Kaaba

-Departure of the Caravans-Altered Appearance of the City

-Holy Places round Mecca-Pilgrimage to Medina-Descrip-

tion of the City-Its Inhabitants-Their Character and Occupa-

tion-The Mosque of the Prophet-The famous Tomb of Mo-

hammed-Ceremonies required of the Hajjis-Servants and Re-

venues of the Mosque-Sacred Places near Medina-Return of

the Pilgrims-Bedr-Suez-Convent of St Catherine-Regula-

a 2

VOL. II.

tions and Hospitality of the Monks-Places of superstitious Re-

sort about Mount Sinai-The Cave of Elijah-The Rock of Me-

ribah-Gebel Mokkateb or the Written Mountain-The Convent

near Tor-Gebel Narkous or Mountain of the Bell,..... Page 232

CHAPTER VII.

HISTORY OF THE WAHABEES.

Origin of the Wahabees-Their Founder, Abdel Wahab-Account

of their Doctrines-Success of Ibn Saoud and Abdelazeez in Ne-

jed-Siege and Plunder of Kerbela-Submission of Mecca and

Medina-Destruction of religious Monuments-Murder of Ab-

delazeez-Accession of Saoud-His Character-Government—

Revenues-Military Tactics-Revival of the Pilgrimage-Preda-

tory Incursions of the Wahabees-Attempts of the Turkish Go-

vernment to suppress them-Expedition from Egypt lands at

Yembo-Defeat of Toussoun Bey at Jedeida-Recapture of Me-

dina by the Turks-Thomas Keith, a Native of Edinburgh, made

Governor of the City-Recovery of Mecca and Hejaz-Moham-

med Ali takes the Command in Person-Arrest and Death of Gha-

leb-Repulse of the Turks at Taraba-Capture of Gonfode—

Death of Saoud-Accession of Abdallah-Strength of the Turk-

ish Army-Defeat of the Wahabees at Bissel-Surrender of

Taraba and Beishe-Cruelties of Ali-His Return to Egypt-

Campaign of Toussoun in Nejed-Treaty of Peace with Abdal-

lah-Treachery of Ali and Renewal of Hostilities-Expedition

under Ibrahim Pasha-His Success in Nejed-Siege and Sur-

render of Deraiah-Death of Abdallah-Suppression of the Wa-

habees and Destruction of their Capital-Reflections on the

Character of their Government and Religion,.............

CHAPTER VIII.

SOCIAL STATE OF THE ARABS.

..288

National Character of the Arabs-Their Family-pride-Orders

of Nobility-Their Domestic Life-Their Tents-Furniture—

Mode of Encamping-Dress-Personal Appearance-Acute-