brated and distinguished men. It was always the custom and fashion
to fill their works with much information of the kind. The same
fashion appears to exist in England at the present time, with this
advantage, however, that we now get all the details and stories direct
from the heroes themselves, and during their lifetime.

CHAPTER V.

ANECDOTES AND ANA.

In Persian literature there are three celebrated works (Sa'di's
'Gulistan,' or Rose Garden, A.D. 1258; Jawini's 'Negaristan,' or
Portrait Gallery, A.D. 1334; and Jami's 'Beharistan,' or Abode of
Spring, A.D. 1487, all translated by the Kama Shastra Society),
containing an entertaining collection of stories, verses, and moral
maxims. In Arabic literature there are many books of the same sort,
and in this chapter it is proposed to give a few specimens of stories
and philosophic reflections culled from various authors. This will
perhaps be more interesting than a lengthened analysis of the works
themselves.

The following anecdotes have been taken from the 'Naphut-ul-Yaman'
(Breeze or Breath of Yaman), a collection of stories and poetical
extracts of various Arabic authors, edited by Ahmad-ash-Shirwani.

I.

Al-Jahiz said: 'I never was put so much to shame as when a woman met
me on the road and said, "I have some business with you," and I
followed her till we reached the shop of a goldsmith, when she said,
"Like this man," and walked away. I stood amazed, and asked the
goldsmith to explain the matter. He replied: "This woman wanted me to
make her a figure of Satan, and I told her that I did not know his
physiognomy; whereon she brought you!"'

II.

A voracious man paid a visit to a hermit, who brought him four loaves,
and then went to fetch a dish of beans; but when he had come with it,
he found that his guest had consumed the bread. Accordingly he
departed to bring some more bread, but when he returned with it he saw
that the man had devoured the beans. This proceeding was repeated ten
times, whereon the host asked his guest to what place he was
travelling. He replied, 'To Rei.' 'Wherefore?' 'I heard of a
celebrated physician in that town, and I mean to consult him about my
stomach, because I have but little appetite for eating.' 'I have a
request to make of you.' 'What is it?' 'When you return, after having
recovered your appetite, please do not pay me a visit again.'

III.

One day the poet Abu Nuwas made his appearance at the gate of t