ation. The
Persians, the Romans, and the Macedonians vainly attempted to subdue
them: they only shattered their weapons in fragments against the rocks
of the Nabatheans.[4] Proud of an origin which he traced back even to
the patriarchs of olden time, exulting in his successful defence of his
liberty and his rights, the Arab, from the midst of his deserts,
regarded the rest of mankind as consisting of mere bands of slaves,
changing masters as chance or {23} convenience directed. Brave,
temperate, and indefatigable, inured from infancy to the severest toil,
fearing neither thirst, hunger, nor death itself--these were a people
by whose assistance a leader suitably endowed could render himself
master of the world. Mohammed appeared:[5] to him nature had accorded
the requisite qualifications for executing such a design. Courageous,
sagacious, eloquent, polished, possessed in an eminent degree of the
powers which both awe and delight mankind, Mohammed would have been a
great man had he belonged to the most enlightened age--among an
ignorant and fanatical people he became a prophet.

Until Mohammed arose among them, the Arab tribes, surrounded by Jews,
Christians, and idolaters, had entertained a superstitious faith,
compounded of the religious belief of their various neighbours and that
of the ancient Sabaei. They fully credited the existence of genii,
demons, and witchcraft, adored the stars, and offered idolatrous
sacrifices. But Mohammed--after having devoted many years to profound
and solitary meditation upon the new dogmas he designed to establish;
after having either convinced {24} or won to his interests the
principal individuals of his own family,[6] possessing pre-eminent
consequence among their countrymen--suddenly began to preach a new
religion, opposed to all those with which the Arabs were hitherto
familiar, and whose principles were well-adapted to inflame the ardent
temper of that excitable people.

Children of Ishmael, said the Prophet to them, I bring you the faith
that was professed by your father Abraham, by Noah, and by all the
patriarchs. There is but one God, the Sovereign Ruler of all worlds:
he is called THE MERCIFUL; worship Him alone. Be beneficent towards
orphans, slaves, captives, and the poor: be just to all men--justice is
the sister of piety. Pray and bestow alms. You will be rewarded in
Heaven, by being permitted to dwell perpetually in delicious gardens,
where limpid waters will f