into one, this tribe in its travels seems to have formed a composite tongue out of the same ingredients. They originally spoke Hinduwee. They will have picked up some Farsee during their stay near the Indies, or during their progress through the middle of Asia. Whether they followed this route (which seems in itself the more probable one), or that by the Red Sea, they will have traversed or skirted the countries in which the Urubee is spoken. Nor is this a method of forming a language without a precedent. It is thus the sea-faring men on the Mediterranean have compounded a motley gibberish of conversation from out of the languages spoken in its various parts.

The present subject is minute; but it may not be altogether frivolous, or its elucidation devoid of use. It is well to sift the truth even in the smallest matters. The fact, if proved, is curious and striking, and adds one more to the number of singular incidents in the history of mankind. The view of a tongue gradually obliterating may throw light on the opposite process of the formation of language. Moreover, a means is thus presented of illustrating the etymology of the English and other modern tongues of Europe. Various words, whose etymons in the ancient tongues of Europe are difficult to discover, may be traced perhaps directly to those of Asia. Dr. Gilchrist has already pointed out several striking enough coincidences, and others might be added. The supposed emigration of the Gipsies discovers a channel of communication which otherwise it were not easy to find, at least in the case of the Hinduwee terms. The character of the words themselves seems to accord with the originals assigned them. They are usually cant, droll, or vulgar, as adopted from a despised tribe. As the Gipsies were of old famed for tricks of sleight of hand in our island, we might expect to discover an Hinduwee tinge in the cant of that art, and some specimens of it seem to favour the idea:—but this subject I relinquish to such as are more versed in the voca bularies of Hindoostan and of hocus-pocus.

VII.

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE PERSIAN,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE OPINIONS OF THE SUNNI AND SHIA SEC TS OF

MAHOMEDANS.

By Brigadier General Sir JOHN MALCOLM, K.C.B.

Read 9th December, 1811.

Letter from the Oulamahs of Maverulnahr or Transoxiana, to the Oulamahs of the City of Mushed in Khorassan.

Ir cannot be concealed from any one of the true faith, that it is impious to attack the person or property of a Mussulman who believes in God, acknowledges the Prophet, and whose speeches and actions are conformable to the sacred law, and who follows the example and precepts of the twelve holy Imaums. But when (continuing to profess such a creed), men wholly depart from the faith of the Sunnies and deviate from the path of the learned and holy men; and, no longer adhering to the original tenets of their faith, presume to publish the heterodox doctrines of the Shiahs, and to abuse the cause, the two holy fathers-in-law, and the sonin-law and wives of the sacred Prophet, and think such blasphemy praiseworthy; it undoubtedly becomes the indispensable duty of the prince of the faithful, and of all true believers in the world, who desire to fulfil the mandates of the Most High God, and to fix and strengthen the true religion,—to kill and extirpate all such; to rase their houses, and seize their property, whether in goods or land; and if the kings of the earth, in whose hands are power and dominion, and the caliphs (under whose shadow may God order that the faithful find shelter until the great day of judgement!) neglect to combat in this sacred cause, which it has been declared their duty to do by the unanimous voice of the Ulemah or holy men, who

speak what the Prophet and his descendants have ordained, they shall answer for it to their Creator.

Every sensible man who acts under the direction of reason, and who considers histories, traditions, and holy sayings with attention, must admit that those who were exalted by the friendship of the sacred Prophet, who acknowledged his authority and served him, and who for years fought by his side against infidels, to propagate the true faith, stand exempt from impiety and impurity, and will inherit Paradise: but above all others those will obtain that beatitude who are included in the following verse of the divine Koran, "God is well satisfied with the faithful that acknowledged my authority,”—“ The great God was their guide, and they followed him.” Can there be a doubt but the three caliphs, Omar, Othman, and Aboubeker, are included in this verse? Are they not also bound in ties of the closest affinity with the Prophet-and has not God in his holy book termed Aboubeker the companion of the Prophet?" And he said unto his com panion (Aboubeker), God is with us, be not thou alarmed." It is established by another sentence of the Koran, that the Prophet delivers nothing of himself, but speaks as he is inspired by the Almighty; therefore all his words and sayings must be considered as inspirations. And we know from the Koran that he honoured the three caliphs much, and praised, them often; and the sentences in their praise are transmitted unto us in that holy book. It follows from what has been stated, that to deny their perfection is to wander wildly in the maze of error, and in fact to deny the Koran and the Prophets; and those only that believe and follow them are the true followers and believers in the faith: for God commanded our Prophet to say to the world, "You that are the friends of God, obey me; and God will be a friend unto you and pardon your sins." Who but infidels can doubt, after reading such a sentence, that the Almighty looked with favour on our caliphs?

The undaunted valour of Aly the lord of the faithful is known to the whole world; and yet that prince acknowledged the authority of the caliphs. Ignorant men do not reflect that if they succeed in fixing obloquy on any caliphs, they must also fix it on Aly. How can the Shiahs defend their con

duct in loading with abuse Ayesha, when all are agreed that she was the wife of the Prophet, and was the favourite of that sacred personage? And it is written in the Koran, "That bad women only are attached to bad men, and bad men to bad women: Good women are attached to good men, and good men to good women." Reflect on this verse, and consider to what an extreme an abuse of Ayesha leads. But leaving this ground—is there a vagabond that walks the streets that will hear without being enraged his wife abused? How dare the Shiahs then be so indecent and impious as to abuse the partner of the best of the men? " May God preserve us from such proceedings! Take warning, O you who have wisdom!"

Many may say, We neither have committed these actions nor ever will commit them: but they should know, that to listen to such folly and wickedness without forbidding it, will expose them to be considered as equally guilty with those that commit it.

You have written unto us that it is stated in Holy Writ, "Do not without cause plunder each other's property:" and that it is a sacred precept that it is unlawful to take the property of any Mussulman whatever, unless for his advantage: and you argue from this, that the produce and revenue of the city of Mushed cannot be deemed lawful plunder.

We have to reply, that these holy sentences and traditions only relate to true believers: and as we have correct and authentic proofs that the sect of Shiahs abuse the holy caliphs (at the same time that they call themyou have quoted, selves Mahomedans), we conceive not only the sentences but many others, which it is unnecessary to state, have this plain and obvious meaning ;-that to put to death, to seize and ravage the property and country of unbelievers, is lawful. No person indeed can deny this; and assuredly those who declare themselves servants of the prince of the faith, but swerve from their truth, must above all others be deemed by the concurrence of the learned, proper and legitimate objects of plunder: Can they be saved by a hollow profession of faith? This argument is sup-ported by the battles which Aly himself fought with Mussulmans during his caliphat. Our late glorious emperor also fought many actions with those who called themselves of that religion.

You write that the fields and gardens of Mushed are the unalienable property of the holy shrine of the imaum Reza, to which sacred purpose they were consecrated by the ancestors of the monarch of Persia. In answer we can only say, This country is one of those (which it is lawful to plunder), and the army of the faithful cannot distinguish the sacred from the private lands-all must therefore be considered in one light. But supposing the distinction made, the revenues of their holy property must still be expended by holy Mussulmen; and if it cannot from circumstances be expended in that manner, it becomes the duty of the prince of the faithful to divide it in lawful shares among his warriors.

You say that the majority of your city are the lineal descendants of the Prophet. Let us imagine this true; remember you not what God said, "Those belong not unto me whose conduct is not virtuous*:" but you add, that all the inhabitants of Mesched are virtuous-You do not recollect that virtue is but the form of that of which religion is the substance. In reply to what you have written us respecting the natives of your city having been admitted into the society and friendship of the learned men of Mecca, Medina, and Damascus; we have only to say, "Whoever has not good in his heart can reap no profit from beholding the countenance of the Prophet." And as to what you state regarding the learned men of these cities having praised them, we cannot believe it: but supposing it true, it must have proceeded from ignorance of their bad principles.

As to what you state respecting the month of Rejeb being an unlawful season, and that to make war in that month with those who are desirous of peace is impious,-we have to answer, that the respect originally paid to that month is by the clearest writing done away; and in support of this argument we need only mention that many of the battles of Aly with his enemies were fought in the month of Rejeb.

You say, on the authority of Holy Writ, that God created men and angels only to obey and adore him. This cannot be controverted: but the obedience and adoration which is acknowledged to be most pleasing to God is to war with infidels, and no mercy should be shown those who forsake

* God's answer to Noah.