168 Literary and Miscellaneous Intelligence. [No. 2. 



biographical works, JYisy and the Icabah, which must be followed by 

 Dzohaby, give us an insight into the literary activity of this inter- 

 esting nation during the first centuries of their existence, whilst the 

 Dictionary of technical terms together with the Compendia (with 

 the Logic) forms an Encyclopaedia of all their sciences during the 

 second period of their existence, which is now just closing ; the Itqan 

 shows us the field of the Qoran in its whole extent, and is the basis 

 of the study of that book, which is the seed from which all intellec- 

 tual activity of the Mawlawies originally developed itself. "Whilst 

 the Society is thus engaged in furnishing to the philosophical ori- 

 entalist, materials for following up the history of the Musalman 

 mind, it has not neglected to preserve materials for what is vulgarly 

 termed, history. No works surpass in importance the conquests of 

 Abu Ismayl and Waqidy, and I hope there will be added to them 

 those of Biladzory, The work is not large and even if the expense 

 should be proportionately somewhat greater than for other publica- 

 tions, it is to be remembered that there is no other work of equal 

 value known. I have a particular fancy for the conquests of the 

 Moslims. The philosopher may have other means to demonstrate 

 the irresistible powers of heat, the vulgar, however, becomes best 

 aware of them by witnessing a conflagration. In this manner are 

 the conquests of the Moslims the most unmistakeable evidence of the 

 power of enthusiasm on the mind — over wealth and matter generally. 

 In history, it is to be hoped, the Society will next turn its attention 

 to the state of civilization under the Abbasides. After we have 

 studied a convulsion, it is interesting to observe the organic forma- 

 tions which grow up on the cooled surface of the soil which it has 

 raised. The geography of Maqdisy regarding which I have written 

 to my friend Lees, will form an excellent basis as soon as our 

 hands are less full than at present. The most important materials 

 on this subject are found in the Kitab al-Aghany. Prof. Kosegarten 

 has commenced to edit the work, and has published in the space of 

 about ten years (I speak from memory) about the twentieth part. 

 He has since undertaken new labours, and it is not to be expected 

 that he will in future proceed with greater activity, and therefore 

 unless he should be preserved for science a hundred years longer, it 

 is not likely that his edition will ever be completed. However, I 



