ing over all that part of the city with its walls, its balconies, and domes. Out of the sea of houses rose countless minarets into the air, among them the famous "green" minaret, covered with shining green tiles. Here, too, was the great "green dome," a hundred and sixty feet in height.

On the western bank of the Tigris were palaces, baths, mosques, bazaars, and among these splendid buildings lay a confused labyrinth of the poor houses of the lower classes. The bazaars were rich with the wares of Asia, and one was especially famous for its costly profusion of Chinese silks.

The palace of the Caliph was set in the midst of large and well-kept gardens, and surrounded by countless courts, open halls, balconies, kiosks, all most richly adorned by splendid carpets and divans, with gold-embroidered curtains and rich vases of gold and silver, or Chinese porcelain. In the gardens bloomed the finest plants of Asia; within the inner chambers were richly-clad and handsome slaves, who lived as befitted the servants of a prince.

Our picture would be incomplete without a visit to the quays, which stretched for miles on either shore of the river. Whole fleets were here at anchor, sea and river boats of all sizes, from the Chinese junk to the awkward old Assyrian rafts. There, too, were anchored countless ships of war, and between these lay the pleasure-boats of the caliphs and the nobles, glittering in gold and brilliant colors.

b. The House of a Wealthy Arabian of Bagdad. (Kremer.)

His doors were of costly woods, inlaid with ebony and gold; his courtyard was paved with marbles, often laid in mosaic patterns, and cooled by an ever-flowing fountain. His halls were finished with fine stucco, and the ceilings bright with intermingled colors of the arabesque ornament. Finest rugs

were on the floors and costly Chinese vases stood about the Heavy silken curtains in clear, rich colors hung

rooms.

1 See picture of St. Sophia; the slender, spirelike parts of the buildings are minarets.

before doors and windows, embroidered in gold with inscriptions and arabesques. Tapestries stiff with gold hung on the

walls, while from the centre of the domed ceiling, hung by massive chains such lamps of gold, silver, or costly crystal as the Greeks were wont to use,

c. Haroun-al-Raschid and Mansour.

"One of the intimates of Haroun-al-Raschid relates that one day, being summoned into the Caliph's presence, he found him in a very gloomy mood. After a few moments, Haroun raised his head, and said, 'Go this moment and take from Mansúr ten million dirhems, and if he refuse to pay them, bring me his head! If you hesitate and fail to execute my command, I swear by the soul of my father that I will decapitate you ! ' Salih asked what he was to do in case Mansúr paid part at once, and gave security for the payment of the rest on the following day. Haroun answered, If this very day he fail to pay in ready money, behead him! Let me hear no more idle talk.' Salih felt assured from this that the Caliph was bent on taking Mansúr's life, and came away in great distress, for the person threatened was a friend of his own, and one of the most influential persons in Bagdad. However, he went straight to his house, and, taking him aside, told him what had happened. Mansúr threw himself at Salih's feet, and weeping, said, The Commander of the Faithful must have resolved to take my life, for he knows well enough that I have never had so much money, and that I could not collect it in a lifetime; how, then, am I to do so in one day?" The money was, however, raised, and Mansúr was saved. He had fallen into this danger because Haroun suspected his loyalty, and because he had badly treated one of the Caliph's favorites.

STUDY ON 7.

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Make a list of all the fine and industrial arts known to the Saracens. Of the sciences and branches of learning pursued among them. (See also lists of period.) Of their occupations. Compare this civilization with that of Europe at this same time. How is it superior? What historical sources for this civilization can you indicate? What facts indicate that such were its sources? To what things are the names "damask" and "morocco" applied, and what does this indicate? What new forms of construction and of ornament do you see in the pictures on pp. 277 and 283? What prominent forms mentioned in the description of Bagdad? What is there admirable in these

forms? What element of beauty seems to have been especially admired in ornament? What relation between the Alhambra ornament and the fact that the Saracens were commanded by their religion strictly to obey the second commandment?

What was the Mohammedan form of government? What was the relation of Church and State? What point in the description of Bagdad showed this relation?

EUROPEAN HISTORY, 814-1880.

A. Early Medieval Period: Charlemagne to the Crusades, 814-1095. B. Middle Mediaeval Period: Crusading, 1095-1215.

C. Late Medieval Period: Magna Charta to Columbus, 1215-1492. D. Renaissance and Reformation, 1492-1648.

"There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.”

Chief original and contemporary authorities: The laws of the period in each European country, and the decrees of councils and popes; the chronicles of the monks, especially in England and France; the works of Arabic historians and poets.

Chief modern authorities in English: for Europe in general, Gibbon, Guizot, Bryce; for England, Stubbs, Green; for Byzantine Empire, Finlay; for the Church, Milman.