9, 10, not. p. 88, 89.)]

[Footnote 203: Mirchond, (Mohammed Emir Khoondah Shah,) a native of
Herat, composed in the Persian language a general history of the East,
from the creation to the year of the Hegira 875, (A.D. 1471.) In the
year 904 (A.D. 1498) the historian obtained the command of a princely
library, and his applauded work, in seven or twelve parts, was
abbreviated in three volumes by his son Khondemir, A. H. 927, A.D. 1520.
The two writers, most accurately distinguished by Petit de la Croix,
(Hist. de Genghizcan, p.537, 538, 544, 545,) are loosely confounded by
D'Herbelot, (p. 358, 410, 994, 995: ) but his numerous extracts, under
the improper name of Khondemir, belong to the father rather than the
son. The historian of Genghizcan refers to a Ms. of Mirchond, which
he received from the hands of his friend D'Herbelot himself. A curious
fragment (the Taherian and Soffarian Dynasties) has been lately
published in Persic and Latin, (Viennae, 1782, in 4to., cum notis
Bernard de Jenisch;) and the editor allows us to hope for a continuation
of Mirchond.]

[Footnote 204: Quo testimonio boni se quidpiam praestitisse opinabantur.
Yet Mirchond must have condemned their zeal, since he approved the legal
toleration of the Magi, cui (the fire temple) peracto singulis annis
censu uti sacra Mohammedis lege cautum, ab omnibus molestiis ac oneribus
libero esse licuit.]

[Footnote 205: The last Magian of name and power appears to be Mardavige
the Dilemite, who, in the beginning of the 10th century, reigned in
the northern provinces of Persia, near the Caspian Sea, (D'Herbelot,
Bibliot. Orient. p. 355.) But his soldiers and successors, the Bowides
either professed or embraced the Mahometan faith; and under their
dynasty (A.D. 933-1020) I should say the fall of the religion of
Zoroaster.]

[Footnote 206: The present state of the Ghebers in Persia is taken from
Sir John Chardin, not indeed the most learned, but the most judicious
and inquisitive of our modern travellers, (Voyages en Perse, tom. ii.
p. 109, 179-187, in 4to.) His brethren, Pietro della Valle, Olearius,
Thevenot, Tavernier, &c., whom I have fruitlessly searched, had neither
eyes nor attention for this interesting people.]

The Northern coast of Africa is the only land in which the light of
the gospel, after a long and perfect establishment, has been totally
extinguished. The arts, which had been taught by Carthage and Rome, were
involved in a cloud of ignoranc