centuries ago. This fact may possibly create an interest in a record of those times.
When, at the instance of my kind friend Mr. Frederick Ayrton, of Cairo, I undertook the translation of the following tales and anecdotes, it was with no idea of appending historical notes. But when, in connection with the translation, I studied the history of the times to which these tales refer, I felt that in submitting them to the public, it would be advisable to add such explanatory notes as might possibly induce some of my readers themselves to engage in researches into the history of that interesting period.
I have rarely given my authority for the notes, because they are for the most part condensed from various authors. But I subjoin a list of the principal works whence they have been drawn:—
Abu 'l-Fedâ, Annales Muslemici - - - Hafnie, 1789–94.
Badger, Imâms and Seyyids of ’Omân (Hakluyt Society) - . - - London, 1871.
Burton, Pilgrimage to El Medinah and Meccah - - - - London, 1857.
Caussin de Perceval, Histoire des Arabes - Paris, 1847.
D'Herbelot, Bibliothèque Orientale - - Paris, 1697.
Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - - - - London, 1797.
Ibn-Khallikan, Biographical Dictionary (translated by Baron Mac Guckin de Slane) Paris, 1871.
