f poets, his
contemporaries. He died A.D. 1658. A few more writers might be
mentioned; but their efforts strongly mark the decline of Arabic
literature in the East, the cultivation of which, however, was
henceforth more energetically pursued in Europe, where many works have
been printed and translated.

With the twelfth century of the Hijrah (A.D. 1689-1786) the history of
original Arab literature may be said to have terminated, and its
genius to have disappeared. A revival, however, of Arabian learning is
taking place in Egypt, Syria, and North Africa, but in accordance with
European models, and chiefly under European auspices. All original
research has long been extinct, even among those populations whose
vernacular is the Arabic language; and consequently it is the former,
and not the present state of Arab literature, which is the most
interesting to the people of to-day.

The presses of Constantinople, Cairo, Algiers, Beyruth, and some other
places, reproduce old Arabic works of value, but more translations
from European languages than original compositions are printed and
lithographed. From Bombay, where more than fifty presses are at work,
large quantities of books are exported to countries beyond the British
possessions. These books treat generally of religion, poetry, history,
or medicine; but as they deal more with ancient than with modern
knowledge, they do not tend to propagate progress.

But though Arab literature has decayed, the faith of Islam is still
active and energetic. It is estimated that one hundred and eighty
millions of human beings still follow the precepts of the Prophet, and
daily turn their faces to Mecca, which for them has been, and still
is, the cradle of their faith, the touchstone of their religion, and
the idol of their hearts.

CHAPTER III.

ABOUT MUHAMMAD.

A manual of Arabian history and literature would hardly be complete
unless some special mention of Muhammad was introduced. As previously
stated, his Koran forms the basis of the literary edifice of Arab
literature, while he himself undoubtedly holds the first place in Arab
history. As the author and founder of a new religion, which both
during his lifetime and after his death was accepted with a marvellous
rapidity, and is still being accepted in various parts of Africa, it
must be admitted that he was an extraordinary person. At the beginning
of what may be called his inspired life at Mecca, he stood forth as a
re