LITERATrRE OF THE ARABS. 101 



between the Arabian and the Italian gamut ; and it 

 is highly probable that the terms, sol, fa, ut, &;c. used 

 in the old mode of teaching music, were borrowed 

 from the Moors of Spain. To the Saracens we are 

 indebted for the invention of the lute, which they 

 accounted the most beautiful of all instruments. 

 They had likewise the organ, flute, harp, tabor, and 

 the mandoline, with which they serenaded their 

 mistresses. On these occasions, not only the words 

 and air of their songs, but even the colour of their 

 dress, indicated the triumph of the fortunate, or the 

 despair of the rejected lover. Black and yellow 

 denoted grief; green was expressive of hope ; blue, 

 of jealousy ; and the violet or flame-colour, of im- 

 passioned love. In addition to the musical instru- 

 ments just mentioned, a recent traveller alleges that 

 the bagpipe, which has so long been considered na- 

 tional among the Scottish Highlanders, was unques- 

 tionably of Arabic origin.* Without pretending to 

 decide whether it be a native of Asia or Europe, we 

 may remark that, in the two countries, there is a 

 wonderful similarity both in the shape of the instru- 

 ment and in the mode of playing it. The tube is 

 perforated in the same manner ; the bag is angular, 

 and pressed with the arm. The gaspah of the Arabs 

 is a common reed open at both ends, like the Ger- 

 man flute, with three or more holes in the side, ac- 

 cordins: to the extent of the musician's abilities. 

 The tarr, another of their instruments (the tympanum 

 of the ancients), consists of a thin hoop of wood, 

 with a skin of parchment stretched over the top like 

 a sieve. This serves for bass in their concerts, and 

 they touch it, like the tambourine, very dexterously 

 with their fingers, knuckles, or palms. Connected 

 with this art was the practice of employing j/'on»-Zewr5, 

 who accompanied with their instruments the recita- 

 tions of the poets. Dancing was a favourite amuse- 



* Colonel Johnson's Overland Journey. 

 12 



