se subsequently to the important position of
"collector." A man of a quiet and amiable disposition, Arbuthnot
never said an unkind word either to or about anyone. The sweetness and
serenity of his manner were commented upon by all his friends; but like
so many of your quiet men, he had a determination--a steady heroism,
which made everything give way. Oppose Burton, and you would instantly
receive a blow aimed straight from the shoulder, oppose Arbuthnot
and you would be pushed quietly and amiably aside--but pushed aside
nevertheless. A great idea had early possessed him. He wanted to see as
much attention paid to the literatures of India, Persia and Arabia as to
those of ancient Greece and Rome. All the famous books of the East,
he said, should be translated into English--even the erotic, and he
insisted that if proper precautions were taken so that none but scholars
could obtain them, no possible harm could ensue. [105]

"England," he wrote long after (1887), "has greater interests in the
East than any other country in Europe, and ought to lead the way in
keeping the world informed on all subjects connected with Oriental
literature. Surely the time has not arrived for her to take a back seat
on that coach, and to let other nations do a work which she ought to do
herself." [106] The expression "on that coach," by the by, was eminently
characteristic of a man who plumed himself on being a Jehu of Jehus.
Hundreds of invaluable manuscripts written by poets and sages, he said,
require to be translated into English, and the need of the day is an
Oriental Translation Fund. A man of means, Arbuthnot was sometime later
to apply his money to the cause he had at heart; and year in, year out,
we shall find him and Burton striking at the self-same anvil. Though
there was a considerable difference in their ages, and though thousands
of miles often separated them, their minds were ever united, and they
went down the stream of life together like two brothers.

Chapter VI. 3rd April 1853 to 29th October 1854, Pilgrimage to Mecca

Bibliography:

11. The Kasidah (commenced). 12. El Islam (commenced).

22. The Man Wants to Wander.

Much of his time at Boulogne Burton devoted to fencing; and to his
instructor, M. Constantin, he paid glowing tributes. He thoroughly
mastered the art, defeated all antagonists, whether English or French,
earned his "brevet de pointe for the excellence of his swordsmanship,
and became