166 A SHORT HISTORY OF SCIENCE 



early in the eighth century, bringing after them the learning of the 

 Arabs, so that Hindu and Arabian science, and to some extent 

 Greek science, were making their way into southwestern Europe 

 even before the schools of Charlemagne were established toward 

 the end of the same century in central (Christian) Europe. In the 

 ninth and tenth centuries a remarkable civilization arose in Spain, 

 the highest that the Arabian race has ever reached. The develop- 

 ments of science in Mohammedan Spain are more or less typical 

 of what occurred throughout the whole Arabian empire, and in 

 such cities as Cordova, Toledo, and Seville a type of civilization 

 and a stage of learning were reached higher in many respects than 

 existed at the same time and even for centuries afterward any- 

 where in Christian Europe. 



Scarcely had the Arabs become firmly settled in Spain when they 

 commenced a brilliant career. Adopting what had now become the 

 established policy of the Commanders of the Faithful in Asia, the 

 Emirs of Cordova distinguished themselves as patrons of learning, 

 and set an example of refinement strongly contrasting with the con- 

 dition of the native European princes. Cordova, under their ad- 

 ministration, at its highest point of prosperity, boasted of more than 

 two hundred thousand houses, and more than a million of inhabitants. 

 After sunset, a man might walk in a straight line for ten miles by the 

 light of the public lamps. Seven hundred years after this time there 

 was not so much as one public lamp in London. Its streets were 

 solidly paved. In Paris, centuries subsequently, whoever stepped over 

 his threshold on a rainy day stepped up to his ankles in mud. 



Draper. 



The Mohammedans made some additions to medical science, 

 and yet their medicine hardly goes beyond that of Galen, whom 

 they specially revered. In alchemy they are notable, though 

 more by their attempts than their achievements. Too often 

 it was simply a search for "potable gold" or other " elixirs of 

 life," "the philosopher's stone," and the like. In the arts and 

 industries, however, the Moors deserve special mention. Cordovan 

 and Morocco leather are well known. Toledo and Damascus 

 blades (swords) were long famous. Arabian horses fur- 



