ཝཱ BOOK and the agile Arab mind sprang first to those invesVI. tigations, which sought in nature alone for the exLITERARY planation of her effects and changes. HISTORY OF It was the steady warfare which Mohamed and his followers waged against paganism in all its systems, mythologies, allegories, idolatries, mysteries, and later philosophical purifications and refinements, which led the Arabians to this great improvement in human knowlege, under the tuition of their masters, the christian Syrians. In the Macedonian establishments at Alexandria, the foundations of this happy change were first laid in the mathematical studies of the philosophers who were there settled and patronized. One of the most sublime perfections of nature is the geometrical science on which it has been constructed, and which it so magnificently displays. It was not irreverently said by Plato, that the Deity geometrizes in his works: He has done so: He has framed, placed, and moved them on the nicest calculations of mathematical wisdom. Hence, no study has rewarded the human mind with grander or richer knowlege than the mathematical skill which our revolving earth and its connected solar system display, The mathematical studies are therefore the scientific branch of natural philosophy. Some great men of the Alexandrian school having peculiarly cultivated Arabians. them, their works were introduced to the Arabs by their Syrian teachers, who immediately appreciated their value, with an extraordinary justness of taste and quickness of discernment; and devoted themselves to these sciences with an avidity and a success, which appropriated the treasures and enlarged the boundaries of all. They translated Euclid, Archimedes, Apollonius Pergæus, Eutochius, Diocles, Progress of the 49 IX. DUCTION SCIENCES. Diophantus, Hippocrates, and Ptolemy. On these CHAP. they commented and disserted with emulous ingenuity. The establishment of a separate caliphate INTROin Spain, and afterwards in Morocco, created new OF THE seats of knowlege near the western regions of Eu- ARABIAN rope, where it was zealously cultivated. It is impossible to read the long catalogues of the Arabian treatises on astronomy, optics, geometry, arithmetic, medicine, natural history and chemistry, and even on music, logic, and metaphysics, as well as on poetry and grammar, without astonishment at their unwearied assiduity and successful progress.50 We are but yet beginning to be adequately acquainted with them;51 nor is it the least singular fact of this 49 The Arabic Life of EUCLID mentions two Arabian versions of his fifteen books; one, by order of the Calif Harun Al Rashid; and one, more accurate, by the command of Al Mamon. There were nine Arabian commentators upon him. Casiri, Bib. 329. PTOLEMY's Almagest, in thirteen books, was translated by a Barmecide, the friend of Harun al Rashid, and many commentaries were made upon him, and some epitomes. Cas. ib. 348. And Omar Abu Haphi, by command of Al Mamon, commented on Ptolemy's Quadrip, from the Arabian version of Abi Jahia. Ib. 362. The geometrical works of ARCHIMEDES were translated and illustrated with notes, and scholia, by many Arabians. Ib. 384. The Conics of APOLLONIUS were made Arabian by Al Mamon's patronage. Ahmad Ben Musa corrected the first four books which Helal Ben Helal put into Arabic, as Thabet Ben Corah did the other three. Ib. 384. Casiri also mentions the Arabic versions of Diocles on burning specula; Samius on spiral lines; and Eutochius on Archimedes, p. 382; of Diophantus on algebra, in p. 370; and of Menelaus, Theodosius, Autolycus, Aristarchus and Hipsycles, all Grecian mathematicians, in p. 346. Časiri gives a list of the Arabian mathematicians, p. 402. 50 The catalogue which Casiri made of the Arabian MSS. in the library of the Escurial, first gave modern Europe an adequate idea of the extent of the Saracen studies. 51 The Arabians wrote many works on geography and history, which have been brought into Europe. The duke of Saxe-Gotha's library contains Kaswini's cosmographical work, intitled, Wonders of the Creation, and also the geographical works of Ibn Alwardi and Ibn Ajjas; and that of El-faresi, one of their most ancient geographers, and El-hoseiniElmasavi's travels in Syria and Arabia. It has also the History of Ibn Koteiba, and the little-known Dynasties' of El Kendi; the History of the Fatemites in Egypt, by El Macrisi; the History of Egypt, from 775 of the Hegirah to 803, by Ebn Chadseher; and El-Mokri's History of VOL. IV. BB HISTORY OF ENGLAND. BOOK animated race-this important tho wild branch of the VI. stock of Abraham-that their ladies in Spain were LITERARY distinguished for their love of letters and knowlege." While Europe, in the tenth century, was slumbering in that intellectual torpidity which followed the downfal of the Latin rhetorical literature, the Arabs were pursuing with ardor those scientific pursuits, which were to give a new spirit of life and know. lege to the western world. Their mental fervor was made to glow peculiarly strong in that part of their dominions, Spain, which was best adapted for the Spain under the Arabs, besides the writings of Eldchousi; Eldsahabi, Sojouthi, and Ibn Challekan. The whole of the geographical and historical MSS. chiefly acquired in Egypt by the exertions of Seetzen, amount to 230 volumes. Moellin's Catal. Lib. D. Saxo Goth. Gotha, 1825. One of the most celebrated historical works of the Arabs, was the Taritch Kebir or the great chronicle of Al Tabari, who was born about 838 of the Christian æra. It contained the History of the World, from Adam to his own time. Elmacin took most of his materials from it. Abu Bakr Ebn Alabar of Valentia, who died about 1268, has left in his Silken Vesture,' a history of the most celebrated Spanish Mussulmen poets who lived before him, with specimens of their best poems. Ib. v. 2. p. 20. 52 Casiri has collected the following instances of Spanish Arabian women, who became remarkable for their literary acquisitions. Their names, for the example, deserve preservation. Aischa Bent; in poetry and oratory, at Corduba. Died A. H. 400. Labana of Corduba; in poetry, arithmetic, and philosophy. Died A. H. 374. Mazana of Corduba. Died 358. Saphia of Hispali; in oratory and poetry. Died 417. Radhia of Corduba, wrote many volumes on the art of oratory. Died 423. Valada, daughter of the king of Corduba, shone in literature. Died 484. Fatima of Valentia, studied jurisprudence at Corduba. Died 319. Fatima of Hispali, with her brother, wrote on legal institutions and the history of her times. Fatima of Corduba, wrote many volumes, and was very learned. Algasania of Hispali; an orator and poet. H. 411. Thona of Valentia, was greatly skilled in grammar and jurisprudence. Died 506. Maria of Granada; in learning and music. Died 545. Mohgia of Granada; in poetry. Mozada of Granada; in history: Died 593. Lecla, of the same city; in learning. And many others. Casiri, p. 150. IX. INTRO DUCTION OF THE ARABIAN SCIENCES. improvement of Europe. It was perhaps beneficial to CHAP. their improvement, from the mutual emulation continually arising, even to insurrections and battle-strife between them-which such mixed colonization could not but occasion—that the Arabs settled in Spain were taken from many different parts of the eastern world.53 In Spain, as in Syria, they permitted Christians to continue among them, on paying tribute," who distinguished themselves by argumentative contests with the Islam faith, which often drew down the reluctant persecution of their conquerors.55 We find some of these Moçarabes, as they are called, even learning Arabic.56 But a caliph's order had made this an obligation. It was in Spain that Arabian genius most successfully cultivated science and literature, and produced the largest portion of its intellectual harvests. As the military conquest of the country became completed, its kings or caliphs turned to mental enjoyments; and about the year 790, Hixem began the improvement. 58 Al Hakem, who reigned A. H. 118, in the eighth century, in Spain, distributed the numerous military cohorts of the Mussulmen who were then in that country, into different cities, in order to appease their discords. He put those from Damascus, into Corduba; from Egypt and Arabia, in Lisbon, Beja, and Tadmir; from Emessa, into Hispali and Niebla; from Palestine, in Medina, Sidonia, and Algesiras; the Persians in Huete; the Assyrians in Illiberi; and the Kinsarites in Jaen. Casiri, Hisp. v. 2. p. 32. These in time became so many factions and seedbuds of future revolts and civil feuds; but competition stimulates to improvement, and usually educes it. 54 Eulogius, archbishop of Toledo, says, 'Tributum quod lunariter solvimus. p. 217. 55 We derive our knowledge of this fact from Eulogius. In his account of the Spanish Christians who were destroyed by the Mussulmen, and whom he calls martyrs, he states, that the Saracens declared that their martyrdom was voluntary; and it is clear, from his narrative, that they provoked the Mussulmen to discussions and resentments. 56 Thus Eulogius describes Perfectus as learning Arabic, and as answering in Arabic when he was questioned. p. 231, 232. So he states Isaac of Cordova to have been skilled in Arabic, who perished 851. p. 235. VI. HISTORY OF BOOK He completed the grand mosque at Cordova, which his father had begun, meaning it to be the most magLITERARY nificent edifice in the Mohamedan world." CultiENGLAND. Vating poesy himself, he directed his royal bounties to cherish and reward those who composed it, and other men of letters.58 He loved gardening and planting. He founded Arabian schools at Cordova and other places in Spain." His son, Al Hakem, was one of those half-deranged sovereigns who, from their remorseless shedding of human blood, are justly called tyrants; but his grandson, Abderrahman II., made his court at Cordova, the centre of science, literature, and the fine arts. He both rewarded and elevated men of knowlege and the eminent poets of his day. During his reign, the Spanish Christians pursued their studies at his Cordova seminaries.61 The intercourse between them and their Mohamedan masters was at 60 57 It was 600 feet long and 250 feet wide, with 38 naves one way, and 19 in the other, supported by 1093 columns of marble. The south entrance was by 19 doors, covered with bronze plates of exquisite workmanship. The principal middle gate was faced with gold. It was lighted every night by 4700 lamps; the one in the place of prayer, of massive gold. Marle's Condé, v. 1. p. 266. Such a building must have made many skilful workmen in Spain about the year 800. 58 The ancient Arabian histories have preserved these verses of the caliph's writing: The hand of the noble is open and liberal: the love of gain and greatness of soul are incompatible. I delight in gardens of flowers, and in their sweet solitude. I love the zephyr of the fields, and the smiling ornaments of the meadows: but I have no wish to be their owner, for I have received treasure from Heaven only to give away. In happy times, all my pleasure lies in giving. But when war summons, to fight becomes my duty. I take up the pen or the sword, as need requires. But if my people be but happy, I desire no other wealth.' M. Condé Hist. Arab. p. 268.. 59 He commanded the Christians to study Arabic at their seminaries, and forbad them to use their Latin any more, which until that time had been their usual speech. Ib. 267. 60 M. Condé, p. 310-12. He succeeded his father, Al Hakem, in 821, and reigned till 852. 61 Eulogius mentions several persons, his contemporaries, going to Cordova to study, of whom some where killed in 851. pp. 235. 237.244. His treatise is printed in the Mag. Bib. Pat. vol. 9. |