For this
reason the foregoing brief survey has been ventured.

There can be no doubt that the pivot around which the artistic
activities of MUHAMMADAN countries revolved, was Persia.[6] She was to
attain the function of the SUN, element of

[CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVENTEEN]

* * * * *

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR TITLE-PAGES OF A SHAHNAMA (EPIC OF KINGS) of the
XVth Century.

Representing TIMUR-I-LANG (A.H. 736-807) attending a festival. The
name and the full titles of TIMUR appear in excellent Thuluth
lettering round the border of the rug upon which the monarch sits.

This important Manuscript was presented by the Emperor of Russia to
the Ambassador of Persia at St. Petersburg, A.D. 1829. The
Ambassador's autograph inscription reads:

"The SHAHNAMA graciously presented by H.M. the Emperor at my third
visit--may it be omen of good fortune. MUHAMMAD ALI IBNI GHAFOURI
Ambassador, 22nd of RAJAB, A.H. 1245."

"TIMUR BEG was seated in a portal, in front of the entrance of a
beautiful Palace; and he was sitting on the ground.... The lord was
seated cross-legged, on silken embroidered carpets, amongst round
pillows. He was dressed in a robe of silk, with white headdress on his
head, on the top of which there was a spinel ruby, with pearls and
precious stones round it. As soon as the ambassadors saw the lord,
they made a reverential bow, placing the knee on the ground, and
crossing the arms on the breast; then they went forward and made
another and then a third, remaining with their knees on the ground.
The lord ordered them to rise and come forward.... Three MIRZAS, or
secretaries, ... came and took the ambassadors by the arms, and led
them forward until they stood before the lord.... He asked after the
King, saying, 'How is my son the King? is he in good health?' When the
ambassadors had answered, TIMUR BEG turned to the knights who were
seated around him, amongst whom were one of the sons of TOKTAMISH, the
former Emperor of TARTARY, several chiefs of the blood of the late
Emperor of SAMARQUAND, and others of the family of the lord himself,
and said, 'Behold, here are the ambassadors sent by my son, the King
of Spain, who is the greatest King of Franks, and lives at the end of
the world. These Franks are truly great people, and I will give my
benediction to the King of Spain, my son."--From the Diary of RUY
GONZALEZ DI CLAVIJO, principal of the embassy despatched A.D. 1404 to
the Court of SAMARQUAN