91 
have drawn their materials, and the prejudices, passions, 
enthusiasm, and even philosophy through which they 
have felt inclined to pass, have more or less corrupted 
all their descriptions. If I were to write only for Mussul- 
men, I should suppress the present article; but as my la- 
bours have had in view, mankind in general, and as I ad- 
dress myself to men of all nations and of all religions, I 
have thought it proper and even necessary, in publishing 
description of Mahometan countries, to give at least an 
idea of their religion, and of the life of a Legislator 
who has drawn into his system one fifth of the popula- 
tion of the globe. This sketch will at least spare the 
reader the trouble of referring to other authorities. 
The great man Mouhhammed was born at Mecca on 
the 10th of the month Rabiul-Aoual^ in the 6163d year 
of the world, after the Mahometan chronology, or in the 
year 578 of the Christian aera. 
Having been an orphan from his infancy, he was 
brought up by one of his uncles. His good behaviour 
gained the esteem of his fellow citizens, and procured for 
him a situation in the service of the rich widow Kadije, 
who, smitten with his charming countenance, soon af- 
terwards married him. 
Mouhhammed carried on a trade like other Arabians, 
that is, at the head of his camels and of his people; by 
this kind of life he acquired a knowledge of the various 
nations who lived round his country. He had some 
talents, and a sound judgment; his periodical travels of 
course procured him knowledge, which ripening in the 
intervals of his retirement, enabled him to form the 
greatest conceptions. 
The first sheet of the Sour* aim appeared in the 40th 
year of his age. Was it brought him by the Angel of 
the Lord? Mussulmen say, Yes; others answer, No, 
