manus (B.C. 465-425). Her
mother was a Jewess, Shahrazaad, one of the captives brought from
Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar; she afterward delivered her nation from
captivity. Tabari calls Esther, of Old Testament fame, the mother of
Bahman; and Professor de Goeje (de Gids, 1886, iii. 385) has cleverly
identified the Homai of the old 'Nights,' not only with Shahrazaad of
the Arabian, but also with Esther of the Bible. That his argument holds
good is seen from its acceptance by Kuenen ('Hist. Krit. Einleitung,' 1,
2, page 222), August Mueller (Deutsche Rundschau, 1887), and Darmesteter
('Actes du Huitieme Congres des Orientalistes,' 1893, ii. 196).

The best translations of the 'Nights' have been made by Antoine Galland
in French (12 vols., Paris, 1704-1712); by G. Weil in German (4 vols.,
1838-1842); and in English by E.W. Lane (3 vols., 1839-1841), John Payne
(13 vols., 1882-1884), and Richard Burton (16 vols., 1885-1888). Lane's
and Burton's translations are enriched by copious notes of great value.

[Illustration: Signature: Richard Gottheil]

FROM 'THE STORY OF THE CITY OF BRASS'

Part of Nights 566 and 578: Translation of E.W. Lane

There was in olden time, and in an ancient age and period, in Damascus
of Syria, a King, one of the Khaleefehs, named Abd-El-Melik, the son of
Marwan; and he was sitting, one day, having with him the great men of
his empire, consisting of Kings and Sultans, when a discussion took
place among them respecting the traditions of former nations. They
called to mind the stories of our lord Suleyman the son of Daood (on
both of whom be peace!) and the dominion and authority which God (whose
name be exalted!) had bestowed upon him, over mankind and the Jinn and
the birds and the wild beasts and other things; and they said, We have
heard from those who were before us, that God (whose perfection be
extolled, and whose name be exalted!) bestowed not upon any one the like
of that which He bestowed upon our lord Suleyman, and that he attained
to that to which none other attained, so that he used to imprison the
Jinn and the Marids and the Devils in bottles of brass, and pour molten
lead over them, and seal this cover over them with his signet....

And the Prince of the Faithful, Abd-El-Melik, the son of Marwan,
wondered at these words, and said, Extolled be the perfection of God!
Suleyman was endowed with a mighty dominion!--And among those who were
present in that assembly was En-Fabighah Edh-