Persia in an

which he was most distinguished. cient times appears under different nominations, Iran, or Pharistan, signifying the Land of Horses. The antiquity of this empire is very great, it is supposed a monarchy was established here nine or ten centuries before the Christian era, many say it is some centuries older than this, and others that it is the most ancient monarchy in the world. Sir W. Jones remarks "that the three distinct races of men, possessors of India, Arabia, and Tartary, are discovered in Iran or Persia in the earliest dawn of history." At an early period we find Persia trading with India, and what is strange enough, a nation at that time much given to trade, a great enemy to all maritime commerce. "The Persians" says the historian had such an insuperable aversion "to the sea," or were so much afraid of foreign invasion that their monarchs, obstructed the navigation of the great rivers, which gave access to the interior parts of the country, by artificial works. As these subjects, however, were no less desirous than the people around them, to possess the valuable productions and elegant manufactures of India, these were conveyed to all the parts of their extensive dominions by land carriage." We know that the discovery of silk is due to the Chi

nese and that the Persians were the first who borrowed it from them; the Greek Emperors and sovereigns of Asia wore always this beautiful manufacture, when it was sent by the Chinese forth for sale into the world; "Two Persian Monks A. D. 551. 66 " says the historian" having been employed as Missionaries in some of the Christian churches, which were established in different parts of India, had penetrated into the country of the Seres, or China. There they observed the labours of the silk worm, and became acquainted with all the arts of man in working up its productions into such a variety of elegant fabrics. The prospect of gain, or perhaps an indignant zeal, excited by seeing this lucrative branch of commerce engrossed by unbelieving nations, prompted them to repair to Constantinople. There they explained to the Emperor the origin of silk, as well as the various modes of preparing and manufacturing it, mysteries hitherto unknown, or very imperfectly understood in Europe; and encouraged by his liberal promises, they undertook to bring to the capital a sufficient number of those wonderful insects, to whose labours man is so much indebted." Persia is about 1225 miles in iength from East to West, and 900 in breadth

from North to South; this country at present contains about 9 millions of inhabitants, Mahometans. The country is governed by a prince entitled the Shah, The Persians have mines of gold, silver, iron and salt. "They have a great deal of cotton cloth, some pearls, and a large quantity of silk, besides manufactures of silk, and very fine carpets. They have also all sorts of fruits, excellent wine, and a great number of mulberry trees, with the leaves of which they feed the silk worms. Persia was early celebrated for its delightful poetry, and the odes of Hafiz so admirably translated by Sir William Jones, will ever be held as beautiful Poetical specimens. The poetry of Persia is chiefly of an amorous description, and is full of metaphorus like most of the poetry of Eastern nations. The Persians were at one time considered one of the bravest people in the world, but they have now much degenerated in ancient times they taught their youth to do 3 things viz. to manage the horse, to make use of the bow, and to speak truth; this is related by Herodotus. This same celebrated Historian also gives an account of the revenue of the ancient Persian monarchy. "The Persian empire was divided into twenty satrapys or governments. The tribute levied from each

is specified, amounting in all to 14,560 Eubœau talents which Dr. Arbuthnot reckons to be equal to £2, 807, 437 sterling money; a sum extremely small for the revenue of the Great King, and which ill accords with many facts concerning the riches, magnificence, and luxury of the East that occur in ancient Authors."

POLYPHILUS.

Tuesday, February 13, 1844.

Vide note 3. Rob. India.

NOTE.

Nos. 18 and 19 did not appear in the Athenæum on the same subjects as given here; Polyphilus has Substituted two newpapers, which he hopes will not be regretted by his readers,

No. 20.

An Essay on the Life and Character of Mahomet,

"Mark you this, Bassanio,

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose

An evil soul, producing holy witness,

Is like a villain with a smiling cheek:

O, what goodly outside falsehood hath."

SHAKSPEARE.

"The solitary of Mount Hera, the preacher of Mecca,

And the Conqueror of Arabia."

GIBBON.

The far-famed creature, Mahomet, was born in Mecca a city of Arabia A. D. 571, of the tribe of the Koreish, the noblest of the Arabian tribes. His father Abdallah it appears was a slave, and driver of camels, but the Mahometans no doubt ashamed to avow their prophet of such an extraction, say that he was sought for in marriage by the fairest and most virtuous of the women of his tribe; and that " on his wedding night a hundred young girls died in despair at seeing one female more fortunate than they." This successful fair one then was Amena, a damsel celebrated for her beauty and virtue, the reputed mother of Mahomet. The effect of this marriage was an only son by name, Mahomet : which they derive