in 1761, presented to the literary world, what it had never before beheld, an errata of nineteen pages of commas and of points.

His lordship died the death of a Christian on the 12th of August, 1773, at the age of 64.

MAHOMET.

MOHAMMED ABOULCASSEM ABDALLAH, by his sectaries called only Al-Nabi, or the prophet, and by the christians Mahomet, was born in Arabia, in the year 560. He was of the tribe of the Koreïshites, the noblest among the Arabs, and of the family of Hashem, prince of that tribe, and of the city of Mecca, and hereditary keeper of the Caaba, or holy house, a temple in that city, the object of veneration to all the idolatrous inhabitants of Arabia. He lost his father, Abdallah, and his mother, Armina, in his youth. Abdal Motalleb, his grandfather, a rich man, and generally esteemed, took care of him in his infancy, and at his death gave him in charge to his son. This recommendation did not prevent the orphan from being excluded by his uncles from the inheritance of his grandfather. However, Abutaleb always behaved to him with a great deal of kindness, bred him up to commerce, which he carried on himself, took him with him in his voyages, and, at the age of five and twenty, placed him as an agent with Khadija, a noble and rich widow, who, three years after, rewarded his care and fidelity by marrying him. By this alliance Mahomet was re-established in the rank which his ancestors had enjoyed.

It was not until his fortieth year that he assumed the title of Prophet. No doubt it was to prepare the minds of the people, that every year he spent the month of Ramadan in solitude and retirement, in a cave at mount Héra, at some distance from Mecca. His first proselytes were those, who having habitually been witnesses of his failings, must have been more difficult to persuade; Khadija his wife, Zeid his slave, Ali, the son of Abutaleb his relation and ward, and Abubekir his friend. Converted by him, ten of the principal inhabitants of Mecca renounced idolatry, and pronounced their profession of the faith: There is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet. Three years were silently employed in these first conversions. The fourth year, Mahomet imagined he might publicly announce his mission; he invited the children and descendants of Abdal Motalleb to a feast; forty of them came, Mahomet declared to them that he was sent by God to restore Arabia to the true worship, and to put down idolatry; and asked them which of them would become his companion and lieutenant. They all remained silent. Ali alone, then about fourteen years old, offered himself with enthusiasm, and Mahomet seriously ordered his guests to pay obedience in future to this child as to himself. He then began to preach in public. The Koreïshites used every effort to oppose the progress of this new religion; the prophet was obliged to hide himself, and an hundred of his most zealous proselytes were obliged to take refuge in Ethiopia. The tenth year of his mission, Mohamet lost almost at the same time, Abutaleb, his uncle and protector, and Khadija his wife. Three years afterwards the Koreïshites, thinking him unsupported, redoubled their persecution, and even formed the project of getting quit of him. He was obliged to fly from Mecca with Abubekir, and they encountered the greatest dangers; they, however, arrived safe at Medina, the principal inhabitants of