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to Tippoo Sultaun, fell very short of general expectation at the 

 capture of Seringapatam. Indeed all Indian wealth and magnifi- 

 cence, since Nadir Shah's plunder of Delhi, even the brilliant 

 huma, pearly canopy, and varied gems of the tiger throne, dwindle 

 into comparative insignificance, when mentioned with the splendid 

 luxury of the Arabian caliphs. The name of Haroun-al-Rashid is 

 familiar to every reader of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments ; 

 nor are the descriptions of his palace, gardens, and pavilions, 

 altogether fictitious. The successes of the Arabian prophet soon 

 laid aside the patriarchal simplicity which distinguished his cha- 

 racter. Every authentic history of Mahomed confirms the remark 

 of Gibbon, " that his good sense despised the pomp of royalty ; 

 the man styled the apostle of God submitted to the menial offices 

 of the family; he kindled the fire, swept the floor, milked the 

 ewes, and mended with his own hands his shoes and his woollen 

 garment. Disdaining the penance and merit of a hermit, he ob- 

 served, without effort or vanity, the abstemious diet of an Arab and 

 a soldier. On solemn occasions he feasted his companions with 

 rustic and hospitable plenty, but in his domestic life, many weeks 

 would elapse Avithout a fire being kindled on the hearth of the 

 prophet. The interdiction of wine was confirmed by his example; 

 his hunger was appeased with a sparing allowance of barley-bread; 

 he delighted in the taste of milk and honey; but his ordinary food 

 consisted of dates and water. Perfumes and women were the two 

 sensual enjojmients in which he chose to indulge, and his relioiou 

 did not forbid; affirming that the fervor of his devotion was in- 

 creased by these pleasures." 



In little more than a century after the death of Mahomed, the 



