LITERATURE OF THE ARABS. 71 



CHAPTER III. 



Literature of the Arabs. 



The Arabs turn their Attention to Learning Their rapid Progress 

 Literary Ardour and Patronage of the Caliphs Haroun al 

 Raschid Almamoun Vathek College of Mostanser at Bag- 

 dad Academies and Libraries founded in Persia, Syria, Egypt, 

 Africa, and Spain Course of Study in the Saracen Schools 

 Grammar Rhetoric Poetry Tales Arabian Nights' Enter- 

 tainments Storytellers History Biography Numismatics 

 Geography Statistics Metaphysics Medicine and Medical 

 Authors Rhazes Avicenna Pharmacy Anatomy and Sur- 

 gery Botany Chemistry Astrology Astronomy Optics 

 Mathematics Trigonometry Algebra Arithmetic Architec- 

 ture The Fine Arts Painting Calligraphy Music Agri- 

 culture Manufactures in Steel, Porcelain, and Leather Claims 

 of the Arabs as the Restorers of Letters and the Importers of 

 useful Arts and Inventions into Europe. 



IT was at a period when ignorance and barbarism 

 overspread every part of the Western World, that 

 literature and philosophy found an asylum in the 

 schools of the Saracens. Unlike the Goths and 

 Huns, they became the instructors and enlighteners 

 of the countries they had conquered. Their stern 

 fanaticism yielded to the mild influence of letters ; 

 and, by a singular anomaly in the history of nations, 

 Europe became indebted to the implacable enemies 

 of her religion and her liberties for her most valu- 

 able lessons in science and the arts. In the preced- 

 ing chapters of this work we have beheld the dis- 

 ciples of Mohammed in the character of warriors and 

 conquerors. Their success in arms had been enough 



