'History of the imâms and seyyids of 'Omân by Salîl-ibn-Razîk, from A.D. 661-1856; translated from the original Arabic, and edited with notes, appendices, and an introduction, continuing the history down to 1870, by George Percy Badger, F.R.G.S., late chaplain in the Presidency of Bombay.' [‎16] (29/612)

editor's preface. r
kind referred to are always valuable, for on them
alone, in Lord Bacon's phrase, can he safely proceed
to generals. Nevertheless, to assist those who prefer
reading Oriental history relieved of its native tedious-
ness, I have compiled in the Introduction to the
translation a tolerably full analysis of the original,
together with the conclusions which a careful colla
tion of the different portions of it has enabled me to
arrive at.
In the next place, I have availed myself of all the
materials within reach, both ancient and modern, to
corroborate, modify, or illustrate the author's state
ments. These will be found in the foot-notes ; and I
have thrown into Appendices three dissertations,
also a genealogical table of the ruling Al-Bu-Sa'id f
dynasty, and a Postscript, in which the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
terminus of the Eastern trade, prior to the capture of
the Island of Hormuz by the Portuguese, is discussed.
The first Appendix, on the Im^mate, will, I flatter
myself, dispel the many fallacies which are still en
tertained respecting that institution as it existed in
Oman. The second, on the Ihadhiycih, contains a
more satisfactory account of their creed than any
hitherto published, and will serve to correct Mr, Pal-
grave's serious misconceptions of their origin and
doctrines. I am indebted to my esteemed friend, '
Frederick Ayrton, Esq., of Cairo, for having procured
for me, from an authentic source, a summary de
scription of their peculiar tenets. The document is
the more valuable owing to the rare mention of the
sect even by standard Muslim schoolmen and divines.