316 THE AKAB HORSE OF AFKICA. 



multiplying of horses, or the fetching of them from 

 Egypt ; so that, when we read that Solomon had 

 " forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and 

 twelve thousand horsemen," we know that he was trans- 

 gressing the Mosaic precepts, even as when he took 

 unto him '* seven hundred wives and three hundred con- 

 cubines" (1 Kings xi. 3). 



Mohammed, on the contrary, a great military genius, 

 and bent on the aggrandisement of the Arab race, in- 

 flamed their passion for fleet steeds and fair women, and 

 adroitly contrived that horses and houris should become 

 at once potent instruments of religious propagandism 

 and political ambition. All nations and governments 

 have regarded the horse as one of the prime elements 

 of their strength and prosperity. The Prophet of Mecca 

 had the sagacity to make him a principal agent in these 

 furious irruptions of the Arabs which have left such 

 permanent effects upon many of the kingdoms of Asia, 

 Africa, and Europe. With the keenest appreciation of 

 his value in war, he adopted the subtlest expedients to 

 make it subservient to his purposes. " In the days of 

 paganism," observes Abd-el-Kader, " they loved the 

 animal from motives of interest, and merely because it 

 procured them glory and wealth ; but when the Pro- 

 phet spoke of it in terms of the highest praise, this in- 

 stinctive love was transfigured into a religious duty." 

 When, in token of submission by the five tribes of which 

 Arabia then boasted, five magnificent mares were pre- 

 sented to the Prophet, "it is said that Mohammed 

 went forth from his tent to receive the noble animals, 

 and, caressing them with his hand, expressed himself 

 in these words, " Blessed be ye, daughters of the 

 wind!" Afterward the messenger of Allah said, in 

 addition, " Whosoever keeps and trains a horse for 

 the cause of Allah is counted among those who give 

 alms day and night, publicly or in secret; he shall 

 have his reward. All his sins shall be remitted, and 

 never shall fear dishonour his heart." 



