a passage of the Koran. They, at the same time, usually follow some more lucra tive employment. MOOLLAH.-The Moollahs form what is called the Ulema, or body of doctors in theology and jurisprudence, who are entrusted with the guardianship of the laws of the empire, and from whose number the Mufti is chosen. EMIR.-Lineal descendants of the Prophet himself, distinguished by wearing turbans of deep sea-green, the colour peculiar to all the race of Mohammed. They have special immunities on the score of their descent, and one of them carries the green. standard of the Prophet when the Grand Seignior appears in any public solemnity. PASHA. The title given to the provincial governors. A Pasha is to a province or pashalic, what the Sultan is to the empire, except that the judicial power is in the hands of the cadis, the provincial magistrates. The tails of a Pasha are the standards which he is allowed to carry; one of three tails is one of three standards, which number gives the power of life and death. REIS EFFENDI. This officer may be termed the High Chancellor of the Ottoman empire. He is at the head of a class of attorneys which at this time contains the best informed men of the nation. SERAGLIO.-This word is derived from Serai, a term of Persian origin, signifying a palace.. It is therefore improperly used as synony mous with Harem, the apartments of the women. The Seraglio is, in strictness of speech, the place where the court of the Grand Seignior is held; but it so happens that at Constantinople this building includes the imperial Harem within its walls. CRESCENT.-The national ensign of the Turks, surmounting the domes and minarets attached to their mosques, as the Cross does the churches of the Roman Catholics in Christian countries. This peculiar and universal use of the Crescent is said to have owed its origin to the fact, that at the time of Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina the moon was new. Hence the half moon is commemorative of that event. SUBLIME PORTE.-This title, which is frequently applied to the court, cabinet, or executive department of the Ottoman empire, is derived, as the words import, from a lofty arched gateway of splendid construction, forming the principal entrance to the Seraglio or palace. It is a phrase equivalent to "Court of St. James," "Court of St. Cloud," &c. As one grand object continually aimed at by the compiler of the ensuing pages has been to exhibit the Arabian prophet as a signal instrument in the hands of Providence, and to put the whole system of his imposture, with its causes, accompaniments, and effects, where it properly belongs, into the great scheme of the Divine administration of the world, it is hoped that the prophetic investigations of this subject in the Appendix will not be overlooked. The writer is disposed to lay a peculiar, perhaps an unreasonable, stress of estimation upon this portion of the work. Not that he deems the interpretation proposed as infallible, but he is in hopes that this essay towards a right explication may contribute somewhat to inspire a more general interest in this province of scriptural elucidation, and thus to pave the way for the eventual correction of the errors of this and every preceding exposition. No one who admits the truth of revelation but will acknowledge that events, which are so overruled in the providence of God as to revolutionize a great portion of the civilized and Christian world, are important enough to claim a place in the prophetic developements of futurity; and if predicted, these predictions, when accomplished, are worthy of being explained. Otherwise, we willingly and culpably forego one of the main arguments in favour of the truth and divinity of the inspired oracles.' Birth and Parentage of Mohammed-Loses his Parents in early Child- hood-Is placed under the Care of his Uncle Abu Taleb-Goes into Syria on a trading Expedition with his Uncle at the Age of thirteen- Enters the Service of Cadijah, a Widow of Mecca, whom he afterward Mohammed forms the Design of palming a new Religion upon the World-Difficult to account for this Determination-Considerations suggested-Retires to the Cave of Hera-Announces to Cadijah the Visits of Gabriel with a Portion of the Koran-She becomes a Convert -His slow Progress in gaining Proselytes-Curious Coincidence 45 The Prophet announces his Mission among his Kindred of the Koreish -Meets with a harsh Repulse-Begins to declare it in Public-View of his fundamental Doctrines-His Pretensions respecting the Koran -The disdainful Rejection of his Message by his fellow-citizens— His consequent Denunciations against them................ B 56 Mohammed not discouraged by Opposition-The Burden of his Preaching -Description of Paradise-Error to suppose Women excluded-Of Hell-Gains somé Followers-Challenged to work a Miracle-His Reply-The Koran the grand Miracle of his Religion-Judicial Ob- The Koreish exasperated and alarmed by Mohammed's growing Success -Commence Persecution-Some of his Followers seek safety in Flight-New Converts-The Koreish form a League against him—Abu Taleb and Cadijah die-He makes a temporary Retreat from Mecca- Returns and preaches with increased Zeal-Some of the Pilgrims The Prophet pretends to have had a Night-journey through the Seven Heavens-Description of the memorable Night by an Arabic writer→→→ Account of the Journey-His probable Motives in feigning such an An Embassy sent to the Prophet from Medina-Enters into a League' with them-Sends thither a Missionary-Another Deputation sent to proffer him an Asylum in that City-His Enemies renew their Perse- cutions-Determines to fly to Medina-Incidents on the Way-Makes a solemn Entry into the City-Apostate Christians supposed to have The prophet now raised to a high Pitch of Dignity-Builds a Mosque -A Change in the Tone of his Revelations-The Faithful now com- manded to fight for the true Religion-His first warlike Attempt unsuccessful--The Failure compensated in the Second-Account of the Battle of Beder-This Victory much boasted of-Difficulties in the Division of the Spoil-Caab, a Jew, assassinated at the Instance of |