'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎665] (764/905)

CHAP. XXV.J CHIVALRIC INSTITUTIONS. 665
fact, in those days, an obligation was conferred by receiving a
avour. he education of the Arab comprehended the arts of Education
swimming and horsemanship; he was taught to throw the; l >f rab
J rid, to use the lance, the sword, and the battle-axe, and to
practise a sort of mounted archery. He was frequently
exercised m mock combats; and he was almost constantly
engaged in racing, hawking, or hunting. A feudalism pre-
vaiied in Arabia; and the military institutions of the country
were essentially chivalric ; youths of rank, as soon as they
became qualified, were admitted to the rank of warriors, and to
the enjoyment of all the privileges of that class ; and, like the
knights of Europe, they considered war as the only occupation
m which, consistently with their dignity, they could engage.
The tribe was led into the field by its chief, and the chief
fought for victory; but his followers fought for him ; and not
unfrequently, in order to save the effusion of much blood, a
war was decided by champions selected by both parties. A due
subordination to the chief of the tribe was maintained; but
there existed a spirit of companionship among the members,
which secured mutual support in battle. The banner of the
tribe was the rallying point; but when a prodigious effort was
to be made, a young and beautiful maiden on horseback took
its place, that, by her presence, she might incite the warriors
to the performance of such acts of valour as the occasion should
demand.
In addition to the preceding circumstances, in which the
customs of the ancient Arabs resembled those of Europe in the
middle ages, may be mentioned trials by ordeal; the point of Trials by
honour in keeping the promise of protection; and the sus- ordea1,
pensions of hostilities on certain days of the year, particularly
during the seasons of the great festivals.
During the times of ignorance, as those were called which
preceded the epoch of the Hijrah, the religion which the
Arabs had derived from Mesopotamia and Chaldea, had
departed from its original purity. Some persons even denied
the existence of a Creator, asserting that Nature was the
source and preserver of life, and the majority were sunk in
the grossest idolatry.
VOL. i. 4 Q