rs from ours. There cannot be a doubt that
D'Herbelot is incorrect. The word _Koran_ (for there is no _c_ in
the Arabic language) is derived from the verb _Kora_, to read;
_koran_, reading: _Al_ is the article; but, in this instance,
D'Herbelot uses this article twice, which is certainly erroneous,
for _l'_ is the French article in the word in question, and _al_ is
the Arabic article; whereas _one_ article only should precede a
noun. _L'Alcoran_ and the _Alcoran_ are therefore equally
incorrect; for the word in French should be _Le Coran_; in English,
_the Koran_; therefore Voltaire was correct. I have thought it
expedient to make these observations, because standing in
Richardson's Grammar on the authority of _learned orientalists_,
they are calculated to mislead the Arabic student.

_Decay of Science and the Arts among the Arabs_.

The literary fire of the Arabs and Persians has been extinguished
upwards of 300 years; but before that period, the encouragement to
learning in the East was unprecedented, and has never been equalled
by any European nation either before or since that period. Kadder
Khan, king of Turquestan, was the greatest support to science. When
he appeared abroad, he was preceded by 700 horsemen, with silver
battle-axes, and was followed by an equal number bearing maces of
gold. He supported with magnificent appointment a literary academy
353 in his palace, consisting of 100 men of the highest reputation.
Amak, called Abu Naeib El Bokari, who was the chief poet, exclusive
of a great pension and a vast number of slaves, had, in attendance
wherever he went, thirty horses of state richly caparisoned, and a
retinue in proportion. The king before-mentioned used to preside at
their exercises of genius, on which occasions, by the side of his
throne were always placed four large basons filled with gold and
silver, which he distributed liberally to those who excelled.

Lebid suspended over the gate at Mecca a sublime poem; Muhamed
placed near it the opening of the second chapter of the Koran,
which was conceived to be something divine, and it gained the prize
of the _Ocadh_ assembly.

The remains of this custom of suspending over gates Arabic poems,
is perceived at this day among the western Moors. The gates or
entrances to Mogodor, Fa