da, p. 154. Nivem Meccam
apportavit, rem ibi aut nunquam aut rarissime visam.]

[Footnote 46: Abulfeda (p. 184, 189) describes the splendor and
liberality of Almamon. Milton has alluded to this Oriental custom:--

Or where the gorgeous East, with richest hand,

Showers on her kings Barbaric pearls and gold.

I have used the modern word lottery to express the word of the Roman
emperors, which entitled to some prize the person who caught them, as
they were thrown among the crowd.]

[Footnote 47: When Bell of Antermony (Travels, vol. i. p. 99)
accompanied the Russian ambassador to the audience of the unfortunate
Shah Hussein of Persia, two lions were introduced, to denote the power
of the king over the fiercest animals.]

[Footnote 48: Abulfeda, p. 237. D'Herbelot, p. 590. This embassy was
received at Bagdad, A. H. 305, A.D. 917. In the passage of Abulfeda, I
have used, with some variations, the English translation of the learned
and amiable Mr. Harris of Salisbury, (Philological Enquiries p. 363,
364.)]

[Footnote 49: Cardonne, Histoire de l'Afrique et de l'Espagne, tom. i.
p. 330-336. A just idea of the taste and architecture of the Arabians
of Spain may be conceived from the description and plates of the
Alhambra of Grenada, (Swinburne's Travels, p. 171-188.)]

Chapter LII: More Conquests By The Arabs.--Part III.

In a private condition, our desires are perpetually repressed by poverty
and subordination; but the lives and labors of millions are devoted to
the service of a despotic prince, whose laws are blindly obeyed, and
whose wishes are instantly gratified. Our imagination is dazzled by the
splendid picture; and whatever may be the cool dictates of reason, there
are few among us who would obstinately refuse a trial of the comforts
and the cares of royalty. It may therefore be of some use to borrow
the experience of the same Abdalrahman, whose magnificence has perhaps
excited our admiration and envy, and to transcribe an authentic memorial
which was found in the closet of the deceased caliph. "I have now
reigned above fifty years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects,
dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors,
power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly
blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation,
I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which
have fallen to my lot: they amount to Fourtee