HISTORy^ OF THE WAHABEES. " 305 



disease and fatigue in the nydst of burning sands, 

 instead of being compelled to sue for a dishonour- 

 able and fatal peace. The desertion of the Bedouins 

 no doubt weakened his power, which may be said 

 to have yielded to the gold of Ali rather than to the 

 valour of his troops. But the influence of a popular 

 chief could have prevented or counteracted these 

 seductions ; and had the hardy tribes of the desert 

 found such a prince in Abdallah, the carcasses of the 

 Turks might have fed the eagles, and the fate of 

 Arabia been entirely changed. ' 



Some writers lament the suppression of the Wa- 

 habees, from a belief that the downfall of Islam was 

 to follow the propagation of their doctrines, and 

 that a purer religion would be established in its 

 stead. These regrets appear to be inspired by erro- 

 neous conceptions of the principles of this sect, 

 which are nothing else than the gross and primitive 

 superstitions of the Koran enforced with greater 

 rigour. Their creed was even more sanguinary and 

 intolerant than that which the first followers of Mo- 

 hammed offered to the nations on the points of their 

 swords. Their reform extended only to a few ab- 

 surd or scandalous practices, and the more strict 

 injunction of certain moral precepts ; but they left 

 untouched all the impious and heretical dogmas of 

 the Moslem faith. Their chief merit consisted, not 

 in their teaching their countrymen a more refined 

 and rational theology, but in suppressing their infidel 

 indifference to all religion ; in improving their poli- 

 ical condition ; and in subjecting their wild passions 

 to the restraint of law and justice.* 



* It was the opinion of Burckhardt that the suppression of the 

 Wahabees and the conquest of Nejed are merely temporary ; 

 and that these warlike fanatics, who are dispersed rather than 

 subdued, will take the earliest opportunity to effect the restora- 

 tion of their empire. This of course must greatly depend on 

 the character of the future pashas of Egypt ; but it is not likely 

 to happen in the reign of Mohammed AU or his son, to whom 



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