"Who is more unjust than he who uttereth a lie concerning "God, and denieth the truth, when it cometh unto him? Is there "not a dwelling provided in hell for the unbelievers ?"—KORAN, cap. 39, entitled "Troops." The favourite expostulation of the Wahaubys against the Turks and Persians.

B

TO THE READER.

THE supercargo of my little bark (i.e. my pub lisher) having made a favourable report of his voyage, I now, as I promised, launch my second adventure, hoping that by your favour and protection, its passage may prove as smooth, and its result as fortunate, as that of its predecessor.

It is natural for me to wish, and indeed it is my duty to endeavour, to entertain you to the best of my humble abilities; and whether you are one of those who read as I do, to pass a certain portion of time, as innocently and perhaps as usefully to myself as I can, or whether you are a tyro in the study of Oriental history and languages, desirous of adding to such portion of acquaintance with them, as you have already made; I confess, (though by so doing I lay myself open to be accused of vanity) I do not despair of pleasing and informing you. If you are of the last class, I deceive myself if I have not thrown together, in this and the next volume, matter which you would

have had to seek through various publications, at no inconsiderable expense of time and pocket: -and if you belong to the first class of readers, I hope that there are interspersed in the following pages, anecdotes, and personal adventures, the perusal of which may not be disagreeable.

It is to the very learned reader only, that I acknowledge and confess my utter inability to produce entertainment or information; but if, after a continuance of deep study, he will condescend to take up these volumes, and read a certain number of pages at whatsoever place the book opens, he will probably, at such a moment, find them to possess (for him at least) a no very trifling meritthat of being diametrically opposite to those in the book he has just laid down.

Now, gentle Reader,-whoever and whatever you are, if you are as much tormented by insomnity as I am, and take up this volume at a time when you are turning from side to side on your couch,* seeking in vain "the foster nurse of

* Αλλ' οὐκ

Ύπνος ἔχε γλυκερός, πολλὰ ψρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντα.

Him, from thought to thought

Roving solicitous, no sleep relieved.

ILIAD. L. X.

nature," if, I say, at such time, the volume should introduce the coy dame to your presence, and you know, (as I do) her value, then I need not repent compiling pages of such power; nor will you, I presume, complain that your purchase of them has been made in vain.

With thanks for your former kindness, Farewell! I make my bow to you, using at the same time the words which our English Cervantes, the great Fielding, uses, in closing one of his inimitable chapters in Tom Jones: "If you all smile on my labours, I hope I shall bring them to a happy conclusion."

N. B. The matter contained in this volume has been published separately, in consequence of the advice of a very judicious and learned friend.