ion of the East (of Syria and Mesopotamia, vol. ii. p. 88-209)
is a work of superior learning and dignity; but the author too often
confounds what he had seen and what he had read.]

[Footnote 68: The praises of Dionysius are just and lively. Syria, (in
Periegesi, v. 902, in tom. iv. Geograph. Minor. Hudson.) In another
place he styles the country differently, (v. 898.) This poetical
geographer lived in the age of Augustus, and his description of the
world is illustrated by the Greek commentary of Eustathius, who paid the
same compliment to Homer and Dionysius, (Fabric. Bibliot. Graec. l. iv.
c. 2, tom. iii. p. 21, &c.)]

[Footnote 69: The topography of the Libanus and Anti-Libanus is
excellently described by the learning and sense of Reland, (Palestin.
tom. i. p. 311-326)]

[Footnote 70:

--Emesae fastigia celsa renident.
Nam diffusa solo latus explicat; ac subit auras
Turribus in coelum nitentibus: incola claris
Cor studiis acuit...
Denique flammicomo devoti pectora soli
Vitam agitant. Libanus frondosa cacumina turget.
Et tamen his certant celsi fastigia templi.

These verses of the Latin version of Rufus Avienus are wanting in the
Greek original of Dionysius; and since they are likewise unnoticed by
Eustathius, I must, with Fabricius, (Bibliot. Latin. tom. iii. p. 153,
edit. Ernesti,) and against Salmasius, (ad Vopiscum, p. 366, 367, in
Hist. August.,) ascribed them to the fancy, rather than the Mss., of
Avienus.]

[Footnote 71: I am much better satisfied with Maundrell's slight octavo,
(Journey, p. 134-139), than with the pompous folio of Dr. Pocock,
(Description of the East, vol. ii. p. 106-113;) but every preceding
account is eclipsed by the magnificent description and drawings of Mm.
Dawkins and Wood, who have transported into England the ruins of Pamyra
and Baalbec.]

[Footnote 72: The Orientals explain the prodigy by a never-failing
expedient. The edifices of Baalbec were constructed by the fairies or
the genii, (Hist. de Timour Bec, tom. iii. l. v. c. 23, p. 311, 312.
Voyage d'Otter, tom. i. p. 83.) With less absurdity, but with equal
ignorance, Abulfeda and Ibn Chaukel ascribe them to the Sabaeans or
Aadites Non sunt in omni Syria aedificia magnificentiora his, (Tabula
Syria p. 108.)]

It was incumbent on the Saracens to exert the full powers of their valor
and enthusiasm against the forces of the emperor, who was taught, by
repeated losses, that the rovers of the desert had u