A Pilgrimage to the Land of my Fathers

Front matter

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. GEORGE SELWYN AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES ; with Memoirs and Notes. By J. Heneage Jesse. 4 vols., 8vo, 56s. MEMOIRS OF EXTRAORDINARY POPULAR DELUSIONS. By Charles Mackay, LL.D. 3 vols., 8vo., 42s. MEMOIRS OE KING HENRY V. By J. Endell Tyler, B.D. 2 vols 8vo., 21s. A HISTORY OE HIS OWN TIME; Comprising Memoirs op the Courts of Elizabeth and James I. By Dr. Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester. Edited by J. S. Brewer, M.A. 2 vols., 8vo., 18s. MARSH'S ROMANTIC HISTORY OF THE HUGUENOTS; or, the Protestant Reformation in France. 2 vols., 8vo., 30s. ILLUSTRATIONS OE ENGLISH HISTORY, IN A NEW SERIES OF ORIGINAL LETTERS; now first published from the original MSS. in the British Museum, State Paper Office, &c. By Sir Henry Ellis. 4 vols., post 8vo., 24s. MEMOIRS OF THE TWO REBELLIONS IN SCOTLAND IN 1715 AND 1745 ; or, the Adherents of the Stuarts.

By Mrs. Thomson. 3 vols., 8vo., 42s. AN ACCOUNT OF THE KINGDOM OF CAUBUL AND ITS DEPEN- DENCIES IN PERSIA, TARTARY, AND INDIA. By the Right Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone. 2 vols., 8vo., 28s. A CENTURY OF CARICATURES; or, England under the House of Hanover. By Thomas Wright. 2 vols., 8vo., 30s. SOCIAL LIFE IN ENGLAND AND FRANCE. By Miss Berry. 2 vols., small 8vo. 21s. THE PHILOSOPHY OF MAGIC, PRODIGIES, AND APPARENT MIRA- CLES. From the French. Edited and illustrated with Notes by A. T. Thomson, M.D. 2 vols., 8vo. 28s. AN ANTIQUARIAN RAMBLE IN THE STREETS OF LONDON, with anecdotes of their most celebrated Residents. By John Thomas Smith. Second Edition. 2 vols., 8vo., 28s. DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES HARRIS, FIRST EARL OF MALMESBURY. Edited by his grandson, the third Earl. 4 vols., 8vo., 60s. MEMOIRS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON ; to which are now first added a history of the Hundred Days, of the Battle of Waterloo, and of Napoleon's Exile and Death at St. Helena.

By M. Bourrienne. Numerous Portraits. 4 vols., 8vo., 30s. MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR CHRISTOPHER HAT- TON, K.G., By Sir Harris Nicolas, G.C.M.G. 8vo., 15s. HO WITT'S HOMES AND HAUNTS OF THE BRITISH POETS. Numerous Fine Engravings. 2 vols., 8vo., 21s. THE PROSE WRITERS OF AMERICA, with a Survey of the History, Condition, and Prospects of American Literature. By R. W. Griswold. 1 vol., 8vo., 18s. THE LIFE AND REMAINS OF THEODORE HOOK. By the Rev. R. D. Barham. Second Edition. 2 vols., post 8vo., 21s. ROLLO AND HIS RACE ; or, Footsteps of the Normans. By Acton Warburton. Second Edition. 2 vols., 21s. RICHARD BENTLEY, New Burlington Street. A PILGRIMAGE TO THE LAND OF MY FATHERS. VOL. JS JT1CJLVIAT£ D I2V 2830, 5J" SJSt THO CJ1.EA12E.. A PILGRIMAGE TO THE LAND OF MY FATHERS BY THE REV. MOSES MARGOLIOUTH, AUTHOR OF "THE JEWS IN GREAT BRITAIN," "EXPOSITION OF ISAIAH LIH.," "THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MODERN JUDAISM INVESTIGATED," &C. IN TWO VOLUMES.

Letter I. To His Grace The Lord Archbishop Of Canterbury

The study of the Koran chiefly confined to the civil and ecclesiastical functionaries — The body of Mussulmen divinity—The identity between the Jews of Khaibar and the Rechabites— The 1404 questions put by Abdallah Ben Salaam to Mohammed — Mohammedan youths taught to detest and curse Christians and Jews — Mohammedan amulets — Christianity the origin of Freemasonry

Letter II. To Sir Thomas Baring, Bart

The Jews settled in North Africa at a very early period — Simon the Cyrenian — Jews the founders of the early Christian Church in North Africa — The fate of Hebrew works — The early Hebrew sages of Barbary — Their wisest Rabbies sold as slaves — Rabbi Moses' beautiful wife — Modern Tunisian Jews have sadly degenerated — Their sects — The CONTENTS. VI Page 41 51 55 (,ll 65 effects of the diffusion of Scripture — The costume of the Tunisian Jews — Of the Livornese — The Jewish Khaid of Tunis — Hebrew musicians — The undying love of the Jews for Jerusalem — A curiously worked Jewish table-cloth

Letter III. To Captain Lindsay, Glasnevin House

The wreck of the ' Avenger ' — Providential deliverance of four sailors — Lieutenant Rooke's narrative — The oversight of the Commander of the French man-of-war ' Lavoisier ' — Our expedition along the coast in search of the remains of the crew .......

Letter IV. To Lady Mary Lindsay, Glasnevin

Mohammed Ben Hadad's narrative — The generosity of the Arab exceedingly great — Mr. Davis' adventures at Sidi Mansoor .......

Letter V. To Miss

G. LINDSAY, GLASNEVIN. Our adventures on our way to Biserta — Mrs. Davis' kindness — Our insolence — Farewell to our friends — Our equipage — An extensive caravan of camels — Impromptu Arab poetry — Sebalah — Retribution for our insolence

Letter VI. To Miss Crawford, Carlingford House, Glasnevin

Adventures continued — A poor soldier applies for a cigar — The badness of the road — The bridge over the Majerdeh — Reflection on the historical associations connected with that river — Mrs. Davis kinder than we deserve CONTENTS. VII

Letter VII. To George Crawford, Esq

, CARLINGFORD HOUSE, GLASNEVIN. Page Adventures continued — Cato and Utica — Misled by the American dragoman — The jar-breaking hill — Treatment at Menzel Jemeel — An Arab harangue — Process of coffee-making — Arab fondness of brandy — Carthage — Sir G. Temple's mis-statement ...... 68

Letter VIII. To George Harris Wilson, Esq

, CHURCHILL, GLASNEVIN. Adventures continued — Past and present state of Menzel Jemeel — Benayad — Our host's history — An Arab lecture — A beautiful illustration of a passage in the Lord's Prayer — Picturesque scenery about Biserta — Manuci — Nearly killed with kindness — Biserta affords the best idea of an ancient African sea-port — Shaw — The view — A Mohammedan tradition — The nature of Arab narratives — Jewish academy — Disappointment — Manuci's troubles — The Kazbah, or Castle — Two moles, or piers — Wonderful tales — Mr. Davis leaves for Tabarca — Letter from Mr, D. to the Author — The gratitude the Arabs, who saved the sailors, experienced — " Malta Times " — A letter from Mr. Davis 77

Letter XII. To The Rev

T. F. REDHEAD, ROCK FERRY, CHESHIRE. The Sultan's ancient titles — Islamism on the wane — An ancient prophecy — A wonderful story about tbe parentage of the present Sultan — The Mosque of St. Sophia— Description of Constantinople under Christian dominion — The state of the Jews — A Jewish funeral — The feast of Poorim — Turkish notion of ethnology and chronology 110

Letter XIII. To The Honourable Mrs

LINDSAY, GLASNEVIN HOUSE, GLASNEVIN. A dispute about the result of the French Revolution — Settled by a game of chess — The supposed antiquity of the game attempted to be proved from Scripture — Satan playing at chess with man for his soul .... CONTENTS. IX Page 132 142 166

Letter XIV. To Edward

H. LEVEAUX, ESQ. Abdoul Megid's forebodings — The European quarter — Hebrew pilgrims — Further accounts of the funeral — Hass Kieu — Balat — Interview with a Hebrew bookseller — Tbe . Caraite Jews — The appearance of the Sultan — Mr. Cohen — The Sultan's procession to the Mosque — The Sultan's Medical .Seminary .....

Letter XV. To Sir Thomas Baring, Bart

On board — The mixed multitude — A Mohammedan harem — The Jewish quarter — An aged Jewess — The Passover Hymn — Smyrna — A trumpeter offers his services — The new Rabbi — The old Rabbi — Discussions — The old Rabbi's sermon — Friendly farewell — Synagogues and Schools — Mr. Solbe — An increase in the Jewish quarter on board — A Hebrew motto — The encampment of Polish Jews — Charged with not believing the Law of Moses — Repudiation and refutation .....

Letter XVI. To Lady Powerscourt, Dublin

A Jewish argument against the New Testament — Proverbs xxvi. 5, literally translated — Service on board — Disturbed by the ladies of the harem — A Polish pilgrim — The Author's playmate — Prejudices against Jews — Removed them ...... CONTENTS. X Page 177 191 203 214

Letter XVII. To Dr

AUGUST NEANDER, BERLIN. The Doctor's mottos— Apollyon Napoleon— Rhodes— Havdalah— Cyprus— Jewish objections — British Consul — Letter from Sir Moses Montefiore — Jewish reason why Jews are no more to be found in Cyprus — Real reason— Jewish opinion of Sir Moses' learning — First view of Lebanon — The effect upon the Hebrew pilgrims — Reflections

Letter XVIII. To The Rev

JACOB TOMLIN, TUNSTALL RECTORY. The view of Beyrout from the sea — Mr. Richard Brooke — Mr. Winbolt — The Jewish synagogue — The young Holylanders — The Jewish females — The baffled old schoolmen — Spent some time with the aged Rabbi — The old Jewess again — Hospitably entertained — The kindness and politeness of the young party .....

Letter XIX. To The Rev

J. HAWORTH, CHESTER. Colonel Rose — Mr. Lowthian — The fertility of Lebanon — The latter rain has altogether disappeared — The effect of the cessation — Real definition of the former and latter rain

Letter XX. To The Rev

H. S. JOSEPH, CHESTER. First day's ride over Mount Lebanon— The Author's fellow-pilgrims — Our tents . . . . . CONTENTS. XI

Letter XXI. To The Rev

T. F. REDHEAD, ROCK FERRY. Page Pavilion of an Arab chief — The Mohammedan ladies — A lady for sale — The valley of Bekka — The etymology of the term — Not the Baca of Psalm lxxxiv. 6- — Abla — A Rechabite caravan — Reflection — -William Prince of Orange — View of Baalbeck ..... 220

Letter XXIII. To The Right Rev

THE LORD BISHOP OF DOWN AND CONNOR. First view of Damascus — Mohammedan legends — Lord Lindsay's description — Mr. Disraeli's — -The original site of Damascus — Prophecy — The Author's rule for correspondence — A magnificent MS. — The inscriptions over Jewish houses — Descriptions of the same — Jews fought for Christians — The Christians ungrateful — Malhem Hahim — Jews admitted into the municipal councils — Messrs. R. Brooke and W. J. Woodcock desire to see the MS. — The Rabbi's harangue — The Author's reply — Mr. Brooke offers to purchase, and the Jews decline to sell, the MS. — Description of the MS. — Visit to Guber ...... 239

Letter XXIV. To Lady Mary Lindsay, Glasnevin House

The reasonable pride of Damascus — The beautiful Esther no more beautiful — Discussion with a Jewess — Beautiful Hannah — Mr. Woodcock's narrative — Damascus celebrated for her fair sex ...... CONTENTS.

Letter XXV. To Dr August Neander, Berlin

Page Safet — Translation of a Hebrew petition to the British Queen — The synagogues of Safet— The Jews extremely superstitious there — The lions of Safet 262

Letter XXVI. To The Rev

DR. HORLOCK, BOX. The cities of Galilee — The Author leaves Nazareth by himself — Jenin— Illustration of Gen. xx. 16 — Encounter with an Arab selling eggs — Nablous — Samaritan temple — Samaritan Pentateuch — Witness the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb on Mount Gerizim ..... 269

Letter XXX. To Miss Wilson, Churchill, Glasnevin

Page A bird's-eye view of the Author's pilgrimage — His feeling on beholding the city of his fathers — His first day there — The Bishop — First ramble round about Jerusalem — Rabbi Judah Hallevi's beautiful elegy — Hebrew and English 297

Letter XXXI. To The Worshipful And Reverend

H. RAIKES, CHANCELLOR OF THE DIOCESE OF CHESTER. Jerusalem — The Jewish quarter — Affecting confession — Meeting with the Thessalonica Jew — Visit amongst the Jewish converts — Prayer meeting at the Bishop's — Interesting legend about Moriah ..... 306

Letter XXXII. To The Rev

H. S. JOSEPH, CHESTER. Good Friday — Baptism of an old acquaintance — The church of the Holy Sepulchre— The Patriarch— The Turkish soldiers — Blasphemous exhibition — The awful idolatry — A Jew nearly killed . . . • 315

Letter XXXIII. To The Rev

JAMES HAWORTH, CHESTER. The Greek imposition— The Holy fire— The origin of the deception—The frightful spectacle— Easter Sunday— Conversation with the Jews— The Church service— Sacrament of the Lord's Supper . ' . CONTENTS. XIV Page 332 339 346 350

Letter XXXIV. To The Right Rev

THE LORD BISHOP OF CORK. The Armenian Church — Visitors — Providential episode — Dr. Kiel and Mr. Tartakover — The sufferings of the former — The late Bishop — The English Cemetery, &c.

Letter XXXV. To Miriam Esther Naomi

The Bishop's School — Bishop Heber' s lament over Jerusalem — The music — The best mode of preaching to the Jews — Mr. Bartlett's mistake — A Jerusalem Palm Sunday — Mount Scopus — Mount of Olives — David's tomb .

Letter XXXVI. To The Rev

JOHN HOLLIST, MANCHESTER. View from Mount Zion without the wall — The pool of Siloam — Valley of Jehoshaphat — The brook Kedron — The garden of Gethsemane — The Litany ....

Letter XXXVII. To Miss Howe, Frampton Rectory

The Kora'im, or Caraite Jews— Their history— Their sufferings—Their notions of Jesus— Their articles of faith — Manner of marketing in the Holy City CONTENTS. XV

Letter Xxxviii. To Her Grace The Duchess Of Manchester

Page The western wall, or place of wailing — Specimen of an elegy — The music — Spanish group — Extraordinary verse — Criticism on the ancient bridge — Probably Solomon the inventor of the arch — Curious reports — Where is Antichrist to be revealed 1 355

Letter I. To His Grace, The Lord Archbishop Of Canterbury

Tunis, December, 1847. My Lord Archbishop, I feel extremely gratified at your kind note of last month. I am thankful to find that your Grace appre ciates the views I ventured to express in my last to you, for which freedom I almost blamed myself. In answer to your Grace's inquiries, whether the Koran is much studied by the lower classes of Mussulmen in this part of Islam's dominions, and whether its doctrines sway much the hearts and minds of the population of North Africa ; I take the liberty of giving my opinion, from the information I have already gathered, that the study of the Koran is chiefly confined to the civil and ecclesiastical functionaries. Some few, amongst the laity, are of course found, who indulge in its study like wise. But almost all the lower classes know very little VOL. II.

B or nothing of it, with the exception of the Fatcha, or the first chapter of the Koran, which holds the same place among the Islamites as the Lord's Prayer does amongst Christians. Your Grace will remember that no printed Koran is approved of by the followers of the False Prophet ; and inanuscrijJt copies are comparatively very few in number, and therefore scarce, and very dear. According to the Mohammedan law, that book is not to be sold for money, but for bread. I asked one day a German Christian renegade to obtain for me a copy of that book : he said he would have to go every day to the bread sookh, or market, and watch for a copy being exposed for sale. Taking all this into consideration, as well as the continual violation of the laws of that code by its professed followers, I conclude that the Koran is not much studied amongst the lower classes of Mussulmen in this part of Islam's dominions.

Nevertheless, its doctrines sway very much the hearts and minds of the population of North Africa. There is a little book, corresponding with our Catechism, which supplies the want of the Koran. The little book I allude to may be styled a digest of the Mohammedan body of divinity. The following is a literal translation of the title-page :—" This treatise contains the pearls of language and the questions which Abdallah Ben Salaam put to our Prophet, upon whom be the most precious benedictions and most perfect salutations ! In it there are great benefits and numerous sciences ; and whoever studies them will be fortified with abundant proofs and convictions." I am indebted for a copy of this extra ordinary production to my dear friend, the Rev. N. Davis, who gave a great deal of attention to the subject of Mohammedanism in Barbary, and who has just finished translating the work I mentioned.

Mr. Davis says respecting it — there is hardly a production in Barbary so universally known, and so commonly to be met with. Even at Tozar, a city in the deserts of Gereed, was a copy of it shewn to him by the Kaid of the Dreer tribe. And the professors of Islamism say, that a Mohammedan might as well deny the inspiration of the Koran as the questions of Abdallah Ben Salaam. This small volume is taught in the Mohammedan mosques and schools ; and as it is not bulky, but rather small, many copies are to be met with where not a single copy of the Koran is to be found ; and hence the doctrines of the latter, in spite of its numerical paucity, sway very much the hearts and minds of the population of this part of the world. It may not be unacceptable to your Grace to receive a translation of the " Pearls of Language ;" I therefore send you it herewith.

I shall only preface it with a few remarks respecting the so called " Jews of Khaibar," who deputed Abdallah Ben Salaam as an envoy to Mohammed. I do not agree with the generality of writers, that those were of the original stock of the twelve tribes of Israel, which notion my friend Mr. Davis espouses. It is my firm conviction that they were and are — for they are still numerous and independent — the lineal descendants of " Ileber the Kenite," and of Jehonadab the son of Rechab. A reference to holy writ points to that region as the birth place of Jethro. This view alone accounts for their almost uninterrupted independency, with their own sheikhs or princes ; whilst of the children of Israel it is said, that they " shall abide many days without a king and without a prince." These people embraced the religion of the Pentateuch since Moses promulgated it. b The change from Heber or Kheber to Khaibar, is quite in accordance with the Arabic transformation of Hebrew names.

Thus Abraham is called in Arabic, Ibrahim ; Ishmael, Ishma'il ; Israel, Israil ; Solomon, Solyman ; Ainalek, Amalik, &c* Tn my manuscript Commentary of the Bible, which your Grace kindly permitted me to dedicate to you when published, I have rather lengthy critical notes, bearing on the question, on Exodus iii. 1 ; Judges i. 16 ; iv. 11. It appears that the term Kenite was derived from the name of the kings of Khaibar. When Mohammed besieged it, and after much loss and many repulses, subjugated it for a time by the unrivalled valour of his son-in-law Ali, the name of the king of Khaibar was Kenana. The beautiful Safiya, who after the conquest graced that impostor's harem, was that king's vouthful wife. One remark more, and I proceed with the translation. It appears from the introductory remarks to the ques tions and answers, that Abdallah Ben Salaam put 1404 questions to the False Prophet, whilst the volume will be found to contain only 230.

The Mohammedan gets over the difficulty by telling you that you must understand more than is expressed in it, and therefore more than one question is contained in each of Abdallah's interro gations. It is a convenience to which both Jews and Mohammedans have recourse. It is related by Abd Allah ben Abbas, that when the Prophet was sent by God, and commanded to write to the infidel kings in order to induce them to adore the mighty Sovereign, he wrote an epistle to the Jews of Khaibar, * The best and most graphic description and account of the Ree.babites, or the children of Khaibar, is to be found in Mr. Dis raeli's "Tancred." who were the nearest to him. He did it on this wise. The Prophet asked Gabriel, " What shall I write to them V The angel dictated to him and said, " Write in the name of the most merciful God!

From the Apostle of God to the Jews of Khaibar. Hence the earth appertains to God, as also the pure religion ; and future happiness to those who fear him : and peace upon those who follow the true direction and obey God in the highest, and there is no power nor might but with the great God." The Prophet then ordered that it should be written, and he sealed it with his own seal, and sent it to the Jews of Khaibar. When this epistle reached them, it was brought to their oldest, greatest, and most learned doctor, Abdallah Ben Salaam, whose name before embracing the Islam faith was Samuel. The Jews came to him and said, " 0 ! Ibn Salaam, this letter from Mohammed came for us, read it, therefore, to us." This he did. He then said to them, "How does it appear to you 1 You know that in the Pentateuch there are signs and verses which you cannot deny, referring to Mohammed, respecting whom Moses, the son of Amram, testified.

If this be the same of whom Moses spake, we will obey him." To this the Jews replied : " But he abolishes our religion, and prohibits what Moses permitted us." Ibn Salaam remarked, " Then you prefer this world to that which is to come, and punishmeDt to mercy?" He continued, "Mohammed is an illiterate man, incapable of reading and writing, whilst you have in your hands the law, and both write and read. I will extract from the law 1404 most difficult questions, and will myself take them to him. If he will know and answer them, and reveal those things which are mysterious to us, then he must be the same of whom Moses, the son of Amram, spake, and we will verily believe in him. But if he will cavil about them, and be incapable of solving those difficulties, then we will neither abandon our religion, nor for a moment follow him."

To this all the Jews agreed, and extracted from the law the most difficult parts which they themselves could not under stand, and sent to the Prophet. When the messenger arrived at Medina, he entered by the gate of the oratory, and on seeing the majesty of the Prophet and his friends around him, his heart became inclined to the Islaam. He approached, and said : " Peace be upon you, 0 ! Mohammed. I am Samuel, the son of Salaam ; peace be upon )Tou, learned friends, and upon all those who follow the true direction ! Mercy and everlasting peace be upon them all ! " The Prophet requested him to seat himself, which he did. He then asked, " What do you desire?" Ibn Salaam replied, "0! Mohammed, I am one of the learned of the children of Israel, who study the law, and understand it, and teach it to others.

I am sent by the Jews to you. They have forwarded to you, by me, questions which we by no means comprehend, and they wish you to explain the same for them. If you do it, you will be one of the most obliging." The Prophet replied, " 0 ! Salaam, ask any questions you like ! Gabriel has made the same already known to me on the part of God ! and if you like I will tell them you beforehand." " Do so," said Salaam, " and my faith in you will be the greater." The Prophet then con tinued : "0 ! Ibn Salaam, you came to me with 1404 questions, which you have extracted from the law, and you yourself copied them." The Rabbi then bowed his head and wept, saying, "You are right, just, and faithful." 1. Salaam. — Are you both Prophet and Apostle % Mohammed.— Such is my commission from God, I am the seal of the prophets.

Have you not read in the law that Mohammed is an Apostle of God, and that those who are with him are stronger than the infidels, though there is an attachment between them % 2. S. — You are right, 0 ! Mohammed ! did God speak to you verbally, or did he communicate to you by a revelation 1 M. — Only by revelation, which the faithful Gabriel brings me from the Master of the Universe. 3. S. — You are right. Tell me how many prophets God has created. M. — One hundred and twenty-four thousand. 4. S. — And how many among them were apostles \ M. — Three hundred and thirteen. 5. S. — You are right. Who was the first prophet ? M. — Adam, upon whom be peace ! 6. S. — And who was the first of the Apostles 1 M. — Also Adam ; he was both. 7. S. — You are right. How many were the apostles of the Arabs % M. — Seven, viz., Abraham, Ismael, Lot, Hod, (Eber,) Methusalah, Shaeb, (Yethro,) and Mohammed.

Peace be upon them all! 8. S. — You are right. How many prophets were there between Moses and Jesus 1 M. — One thousand. 9. S. — Of what religion were they ? M. — Of the pure religion of God, of the religion of the angels, and of that of Islaam. 10. S. — What is the Islaam, and what is the faith ? M. — The Islaam is, that we bear that there is no God but the only God, without an associate, and that I, Mohammed, am his servant and apostle ; adhere to the fixed prayers, practise alms, obey the fast of the month Ramadhan, and whoever is able, perform the pilgrimage to the respected house of God. The faith is, to believe in God, his angels, his books, and his apostles; in the last day, and in fate regarding good as well as evil. 1 1 . S. — You are right. How many religions has God in the highest ?

M. — One religion, and that is the Islaam. 12. S. — How many laws were there? M. — There were various amongst the ancient nations. 13. S. — The people destined for heaven, will they enter therein through the Islaam, or through the faith and their works ? M. — They deserve Paradise through faith, but they will enter through God's mercy, and it will be divided amongst them according to their works. 14. S. — How many books has God sent ? M. — One hundred and four. 15. S. — To whom did they come? M. — To Sheth fifty pages, to Esdras (Enoch) thirty, Abraham twenty, the Psalms to David, the law to Moses, the New Testament to Jesus, and the Divider (Koran) to Mohammed. May the peace of God be upon them all ! 16. S. — Why is the Koran called Forkan, or Divider? M. — Because it distinguishes between the lawful and unlawful, and its bases are separated. 1 7.

S. — Is there anything in the Koran from ancient books ? M.— Yes. 1 8. S. — What are those things ? M. — The Prophet then read these words from the Koran : — " The pure shall prosper, as also he who makes mention of the name of his God and prays ; but, in general, men prefer this world; yet the next is far better and more durable." — These words are from the ancient books of Abraham and Moses. 19. S. — How does the Koran commence, and how does it terminate ? M. — It commences, " In the name of the most mer ciful and most gracious God," and terminates, " The great God is just." 20. S. — Tell me what five things has God created with his own hand? M. — Paradise of Eden; the tree Toba (delicious) he planted with his own hand ; Adam's body; Moses' tables ; and he made heaven also with his own hand. 21.

S. — Who has made the things, which you have now told me, known to you ? M. — Gabriel has announced them to me. 22. S. — Whence did he know them ? M. — Through Michael. 23. S.— And he ? M. — Through Asrafael. 24. S.— And he? M. — From the guarded table. 25. S.— And it? M. — From the reed (pen). 26. S.— And it ? M. — From God of the worlds. 27. S. — How was this? M. — God commands the reed to write on the guarded table, which descends upon Asrafael, who hands it to Michael, who again hands it to Gabriel. 28. S. — Is Gabriel in the form of a mau, or in that of a woman? M. — In that of a man. 29. S. — What does he eat and drink? M. — His eating is praise and his drinking is glorify ing (God). 30. S. — What is his height aud breadth ? what is his description ? and what is his dress ? M. — There is no description of the height and breadth of angels, because they are luminous spirits ; they are not corporeal ; their light is like the light of day in the darkness of the night.

He has twenty-four green wings, joined with pearls and rubies, speckled over with pearls and corals. He has a girdle and foldings of fine silk; the inside of it cannot be seen for splendour. His out ward appearance is majestical, and his cloak is generosity; his face is like saffron. He does not eat nor drink, does not neglect, nor get annoyed, nor forget. He remains on foot, by the order of God's inspiration, till the day of resurrection. 31. S. — Tell me respecting the beginning of the creation of the world, and that of Adam. M. — God in the highest, praised be he, hallowed be his name, and may his glory redound ! There is no God besides him. He created Adam with mud from his own hand. The mud he produced from foam, and the foam from waves of water. 32. S. — Let me know why Adam is called Adam ?

M. — Because he was created from the mud of the earth and its surface. 33. S. — Was Adam created of one sort of mud, or of the whole ? M.— 0 ! Ibn Salaam ! God created him of all sorts of mud. If He had not done so, mankind would not have known each other, and would neither have been of one form. 34. S. — Is there then no example of dissimilarity in the world ? M. — Yes ; but don't you see that the world is full of white, red, yellow, blond, dark, black, and blue mud? There is also in the earth sweet and salt, soft and hard, changeable and dirty parts. So also are the sons of man. 35. S. — Tell me, when God created Adam, by what part of his body entered his soul ? M. — By the mouth. 36. S. — Did the soul enter with pleasure or against its will ? M. — It entered involuntarily, and is made to leave the body also against its will. 37.