eserts of Persia, a
locality which my tale required; but I have ventured to introduce here,
and in the subsequent pages, the principal characteristics of the great
Arabian deserts: the mirage, the simoom, the gazelle, the oasis.]

[Footnote 7: page 28.--_Jackals and marten-cat._ At nightfall,
especially in Asia Minor, the lonely horseman will often meet the
jackals on their evening prowl. Their moaning is often heard during the
night. I remember, when becalmed off Troy, the most singular screams
were heard at intervals throughout the night, from a forest on the
opposite shore, which a Greek sailor assured me proceeded from a
marten-cat, which had probably found the carcass of some horse.]

[Footnote 8: page 30. Elburz, or Elborus, the highest range of the
Caucasus.]

[Footnote 9: page 31.--_A circular and brazen table, sculptured with
strange characters and mysterious figures; near it was a couch on which
lay several volumes._ A cabalistic table, perhaps a zodiac. The
books were doubtless _Sepher Happeliah_, the Book of Wonders; _Sepher
Hakkaneh_, the Book of the Pen; and _Sepher Habbahir_, the Book of
Light. This last unfolds the most sublime mysteries.]

[Footnote 10: page 32.--_Answered the Cabalist._ 'Simeon ben Jochai,
who flourished in the second century, and was a disciple of Akibha, is
called by the Jews the Prince of the Cabalists. After the suppression of
the sedition in which his master had been so unsuccessful, he concealed
himself in a cave, where, according to the Jewish historians, he
received revelations, which he after-wards delivered to his disciples,
and which they carefully preserved in the book called Sohar. His master,
Akibha, who lived soon after the destruction of Jerusalem, was the
author of the famous book Jezirah, quoted by the Jews as of Divine
authority. When Akibha was far advanced in life, appeared the famous
impostor Barchochebas, who, under the character of the Messiah, promised
to deliver his countrymen from the power of the Emperor Adrian. Akibha
espoused his cause, and afforded him the protection and support of his
name, and an army of two hundred thousand men repaired to his standard.
The Romans at first slighted the insurrection; but when they found the
insurgents spread slaughter and rapine wherever they came, they sent out
a military force against them. At. first, the issue of the contest
was doubtful. The Messiah himself was not taken until the end of four
years.'--Enfield, _