392 The Chevalier Graprre’s Account of the great Historical Work 
have, on their own private authority, passed sentence upon several men 
of eminence, who flourished during the first centuries after the Hegira. 
In conclusion, he examines the mechanism of languages, and gives the rules 
which he has laid down and followed, in the orthography of the foreign words 
and proper names, which occur in the course of his lucubrations. 
The commencement of the work bears, in my manuscript, the Arabic 
title: Ua y past ly yal oye led Spey be y Real E Utell deb & Jal tl 
AS» Melt po LAIN bey thet 5 lrg guxball y pylel, XM, that is, in 
English, ‘‘ The first volume: of the Nature and Institution of Society, and 
of all that concerns both the rude and civilized State of Mankind ; of Con- 
quest and Acquisition; of Sciences, Arts, and Handicrafts; and finally, of 
Industry, Economy, and other analogous Subjects, the results of Know- 
ledge.” 
This First Part, or Introduction, comprehends six books or sections, of 
which Boox I. treats upon the moral culture of mankind in general, and 
is divided into the six following chapters : 
1. The union of mankind into society is indispensable. 
2. Description of the inhabited parts of the globe, according to Eprisi’s 
geography of climates; with the elements of astronomy, according to the 
system of Protemy. 
3. Of the influence which the temperate zones and climate have, over 
the colour of the skin, and the propagation of the human race. 
4. Influence of climate over the passions and the constitution. 
5. Of the influence that plenty, or want of food, has over men’s manners, 
and particular constitution of the mind. 
6. Of the contemplative life, as a consequence of fasting and abste- 
miousness ; with remarks on divinations, visions, dreams, witchcraft, &c. 
Boox II.—Of the savage state of mankind; of the Bedouins, and other 
wandering nations; consisting of twenty-nine chapters. 
1. The division of people into wandering (nomades, Bedouins) and se- 
dentary (citizens, Arabs) is of necessity founded in nature. 
2. The Arab nation is, by nature, the most erratic of all people. 
3. The wandering state and pastoral life, preceded the city life, and were 
the first states of civilisation. 
