urhood of Africa, Italy, and France contributed also to
their prosperity.

The arts, which are the children of commerce, and support the existence
of their parent, added {72} a new splendour to the brilliant reign of
Abderamus. The superb palaces he erected, the delicious gardens he
created, and the magnificent fetes he instituted, drew to his court from
all parts architects and artists of every description. Cordova was the
home of industry and the asylum of the sciences. Celebrated schools of
geometry, astronomy, chymistry, and medicine were established
there--schools which, a century afterward, produced such men as Averroes
and Abenzoar. So distinguished were the learned Moorish poets,
philosophers, and physicians, that Alphonso the Great, king of Asturia,
wishing to confide the care of his son Ordogno to teachers capable of
conducting the education of a prince, appointed him two Arabian
preceptors, notwithstanding the difference of religious faith, and the
hatred entertained by the Christians towards the Mussulmans. And one of
the successors of Alphonso, Sancho the Great, king of Leon, being
attacked by a disease which it was supposed would prove fatal in its
effects, went unhesitatingly to Cordova, claimed the hospitality of his
national enemy, and placed himself under the care of the Mohammedan
physicians, who eventually succeeded in curing the malady of the
Christian king.

{73}

This singular fact does as much honour to the skill of the learned
Saracens as to the magnanimity of the caliph and the trusting confidence
of Sancho.

Such was the condition of the caliphate of Cordova under the dominion of
Abderamus III. He occupied the throne fifty years, and we have seen with
what degree of honour to himself and benefit to his people. Perhaps
nothing will better illustrate the superiority of this prince to monarchs
generally than the following fragment, which was found, traced by his own
hand, among his papers after his death.

"Fifty years have passed away since I became caliph. Riches, honours,
pleasures, I have enjoyed them all: I am satiated with them all. Rival
kings respect me, fear, and envy me. All that the heart of man can
desire. Heaven has lavishly bestowed on me. In this long period of
seeming felicity I have estimated the number of days during which I have
enjoyed _perfect happiness_: they amount to _fourteen_! Mortals, learn
to appreciate greatness, the world, and human life!"

The s