handsome simpleminded man, with whom Princesses fall in love, and
who is raised to a mighty throne by their enchantments. Some of
the early incidents are not unlike those in the well-known German
story of Lucky Hans (Hans im Glück). In one place there is an
enchanted garden, where Princesses disport themselves in feather-dresses
(as in No. 155, &c.), and where magic apples grow. (Note
that apples are always held in extraordinary estimation in The
Nights, cf. Nos. 4 and 264.) Among the shorter stories we find
No. 251h; a version of Nos. 9a and 152 (probably that referred to
by Mr. Clouston as in the Tuti Nama); a story “The Prince
Tailor,” resembling No. 251; No. 256, and one or two other tales
not connected with The Nights. (Most of Wells’ shorter tales are
evidently taken from the Forty Vezirs.)
5. RECUEIL DES CONTES POPULAIRES de la Kabylie du Djardjara,
recueillis et traduits par J. Rivière (Paris, 1882). I have not
seen this book; but it can hardly fail to illustrate The Nights.
6. THE STORY OF JEWAD, Romance by ’Ali ’Aziz Efendi the Cretan.
Translated from the Turkish by E. J. W. Gibb, M.R.A.S., &c.
(Glasgow, 1884).
A modern Turkish work, written in A. H. 1211 (1796–97). It
contains the following tales:—
The Story of Jew d.
1. The Story of Eb -’Ali-Sin.
2. The Story of Monia Em n.
3. The Story of Ferah-N z, the daughter of the King of China.
a. The Story of Khoja ’Abdu-llah.
4. The Story told by Jew d to Iklilu’l Mulk.
a. The Story of Sh b r and Hum .
c. The Story of Ghazanfer and R hila.
5. The Story of Qara Khan.
The following deserve notice from our present point of view:—
The Story of Jewad.—Here we have magical illusions, as in Nos.
247 and 251a. Such narratives are common in the East; Lane
(Nights, ch. i., note 15) is inclined to attribute such illusions
to the influence of drugs; but the narratives seem rather to
point to so-called electro-biology, or the Scotch Glamour (such
influences, as is notorious, acting far more strongly upon
Orientals than upon Europeans).
2. The Story of Monia Em n corresponds to the Story of Naerdan
and Guzulbec, in Caylus’ Oriental Tales. A story of magical
illusions.
3. The Story of Ferah N z.—Here again we have a variant of
Nos. 9a and 152.
3a. Khoja ’Abdu-ltab.—This is a version of the Story of
Aboulcassem in the Thousand and One Days.
4a. Sh b r and Hum .—The commencement of this story might have
suggested to Southey the adventures of Thalaba and Oneida in the
Gardens of Aloadin; the remainder appears to be taken from the
Story of the young King of Thibet, in the Thousand and One Days.
5. Qara Khan.—The principal part of this story is borrowed
from the First Voyage of Aboulfawaris in the Thousand and One
Days; it has some resemblance to the story of the Mountain of
Loadstone in No. 3c.
7. FRÜCHTE DES ASIATISCHEN GEIST, von A. T. Hartmann. 2 vols.,
12mo (Münster) 1803. A collection of anecdotes, &c., from various
Eastern sources, Arabic, Indian, &c. I think it not impossible
that this may be the work referred to by Von Hammer in the
preface to Zinserling’s “1001 Nacht” (p. xxvii. note) as
“Asiatische Perleuschnur von Hartmann.” At least I have not yet
met with any work to which the scanty indication would apply
better.
8. TUTI-NAMA. I could hardly pass over the famous Persian and
Turkish “Parrot-Book” quite without notice; but its tales have
rarely any direct connection with those in The Nights, and I have
not attempted to go into its very extensive bibliography.
DR. CLARKE’S M.S.
Dr. Edward Daniel Clarke has given an account of an important MS.
nearly agreeing with Bul. and Mac., which he purchased in Egypt,
in his “Travels in various countries of Europe, Asia and Africa.”
Part ii. Greece, Egypt, and the Holy Land. Section i. (1812) App.
iii., pp. 701–704. Unfortunately, this MS. was afterwards so
damaged by water during a shipwreck that it was rendered totally
illegible. The list of tales (as will be seen by the numbers in
brackets, which correspond to our Table, as far as the
identifications are safe) will show the approximate contents of
the MS., but the list (which is translated into German by Habicht
in the preface to his vol. 12) was evidently compiled carelessly
by a person nearly ignorant of Arabic, perhaps with the aid of an
interpreter, Maltese, or other, and seems to abound with the most
absurd mistakes. The full text of Clarke’s App. iii. is as
follows: “List of One Hundred and Seventy-two Tales, contained in
a manuscript copy of the ’Àlif Lila va Lilin,’ or ’Arabian
Nights,’ as it was procured by the Author in Egypt.”
N.B.—The Arabic words mentioned in this list are given as they
appeared to be pronounced in English characters, and of course,
therefore, adapted to English pronunciation.
The number of tales amounts to 172, but one tale is supposed to
occupy many nights in the recital, so that the whole number is
divided into “One Thousand and One Nights.” It rarely happens
that any two copies of the Alif Lila va Lilin resemble each
other. This title is bestowed upon any collection of Eastern
tales divided into the same number of parts. The compilation
depends upon the taste, the caprice, and the opportunities of the
scribe, or the commands of his employer. Certain popular stories
are common to almost all copies of the Arabian Nights, but almost
every collection contains some tales which are not found in every
other. Much depends upon the locality of the scribe. The popular
stories of Egypt will be found to differ materially from those of
Constantinople. A nephew of the late Wortley Montague, living in
Rosetta, had a copy of the Arabian Nights, and upon comparing the
two manuscripts it appeared that out of the 172 tales here
enumerated only 37 were found in his manuscript. In order to
mark, therefore, the stories which were common to the two
manuscripts, an asterisk has been prefixed to the thirty-seven
tales which appeared in both copies.
1. The Bull and the Ass (a).
2. The Merchant and the Hobgoblin (1; Habicht translates Kobold!).
3. The Man and the Antelope (1a).
4. The Merchant and Two Dogs (1b).
5. The Old Man and the Mule (1c).
*6. The History of the Hunters (2).
7&8. The History of King Unam and the Philosopher Reinan (2a).
*9. History of King Sinbad and Elbase (2a, ab).
*10. History of the Porter (3).
*11. History of Karanduli.
12. Story of the Mirror.
13. Story of the Three Apples (4).
*14. Of Shensheddin Mohammed, and his Brother Noureddin (5).
*15. Of the Taylor, Little Hunchback, the Jew and the Christian (6).
16. The History of Noureddin Ali (7).
17. Ditto of Gaumayub, &c. (8).
*18. The History of King Omar and Oman and his Children. (This tale
is extremely long, and occupies much of the manuscript) (9).
*19. Of the Lover and the Beloved (9a).
20. Story of the Peacock, the Goose, the Ass, the Horse, &c. (10).
21. Of the Pious Man (11).
22. Of the Pious Shepherd.
23. Of the Bird and the Turtle (12).
24. Of the Fox, the Hawk, &c. (13).
25. Of the Lord of the Beasts.
*26. Of the Mouse and the Partridge (14).
27. Of the Raven and the Cat (15).
28. Of the Raven, the Fox, the Mouse, the Flea, &c., &c. (16).
29. Story of the Thief (18).
*30. Of Aul Hassan and the Slave Shemsney Har (20).
*31. Of Kamrasaman, &c. (21).
32. Of Naam and Nameto la (21a).
*33. Of Aladin Abuskelmat (22).
*34. Of Hallina Die (23).
35. Story of Maan Jaamnazida (24).
36. History of the Town Litta (26).
37. Story of Hassan Abdulmelac (27).
38. Of Ibrahim Elmachde, Brother of Haroun al Raschid (28).
39. History of the Famous Garden Ezem (Paradise) (29).
40. Of Isaac of Mossul (30).
41. Of Hasli Hasli.
42. Of Mohammed Eli Ali (32).
43. Of Ali the Persian (33).
44. History of the Raschid and his Judge (34).
45. Of Haled Immi Abdullah.
46. Of Jafaard the Bamasside (36).
47. Of Abokohammed Kurlan (37).
48. Of Haroun al-Raschid and Sala.
49. History of Mamoan (40).
50. Of Shar and the Slave Zemroud (41).
51. Of the Lady Bedoor (literally Mrs. Moon-face) and Mr.
Victorious (42).
52. Of Mammon and Mohammed of Bassorah.
53. Of Haroun al-Raschid and his Slave (44).
54. Of the Merchant in Debt (45).
55. Of Hassoun Medin, the Governor (46).
56. Of King Nassir and his Three Children—the Governor of Cairo,
the Governor of Bulac, and the Governor of Old Cairo (47).
57. History of the Banker and the Thief (48).
58. Of Aladin, Governor of Constantinople.
59. Of Mamoon and Ibrahim (50).
60. Of a certain King (51).
61. Of a Pious Man (52).
62. Of Abul Hassan Ezeada (53).
63. Of a Merchant (54).
64. Of a Man of Bagdad (55).
65. Of Modavikil (56).
*66. Of Virdan in the time of Hakim Veemrelack (N.B.—He built
the Mosque in going from Cairo to Heliopolis) (57).
67. Of a Slave and an Ape (58).
*68. Story of the Horse of Ebony (59).
*69. Of Insilvujud (60).
70. Of Eban Vas (61).
71. Of an Inhabitant of Bassora (62).
72. History of a Man of the tribe of Arabs of Beucadda (63).
73. History of Benriddin, Vizir of Yemen (64).
74. Of a Boy and a Girl (65).
75. Of Mutelmis (66).
76. Of Haroun al Rashid and the Lady Zebeda (67).
77. Of Mussa ab imni Zibir (69).
78. Of the Black Father.
79. Of Haroun al Raschid.
80. Story of an Ass Keeper (74?).
81. Of Haroun al Rashid and Eboo Yussuf (75).
82. Of Hakim, Builder of the Mosque (76).
83. Of Melikel Horrais.
84. Of a Gilder and his Wife (78).
85. Of Hashron, &c. (79).
86. Of Yackyar, &c., the Barmadride (80).
87. Of Mussa, &c.
88. Of Said, &c.
89. Of the Whore and the Good Woman.
90. Of Raschid and Jacob his Favourite.
91. Of Sherif Hussein.
92. Of Mamoon, son of Haroun al Raschid (87).
93. Of the repenting Thief (88)
94. Of Haroun al Raschid (89).
95. Of a Divine, &c. (90).
96. Another story of a Divine.
97. The Story of the Neighbours.
98. Of Kings (94).
99. Of Abdo Rackman (95).
100. Of Hind, daughter of Nackinan (96).
101. Of Tabal (97).
102. Of Isaac son of Abraham (98).
103. Of a Boy and a Girl.
104. Story of Chassim Imni Addi.
105. Of Abul Abass.
106. Of Ebubecker Ben Mohammed.
107. Of Ebi Evar.
108. Of Emmin, brother of Mamon (105).
109. Of six Scheiks of Bagdad.
110. Of an Old Woman.
111. Of a Wild Girl.
112. Of Hasan Elgevire of Bagdad.
113. Of certain Kings.
114. Of a king of Israel (116).
115. Of Alexander (117).
116. Of King Nusharvian (118).
117. Of a Judge and his Wife (119).
118. Of an Emir.
119. Of Malek Imnidinar.
120. Of a devout man of the children of Israel (122).
121. Of Hedjage Himni Yussuf (123).
122. Of a Blacksmith (124).
123. Of a devout man (125).
124. Of Omar Imnilchatab.
125. Of Ibrahim Elchaber.
126. Of a Prophet (128).
127. Of a Pious Man (129).
128. Of a Man of the Children of Israel (130).
129. Of Abul Hassan Duradge (131).
130. Of Sultana Hayaat.
131. Of the Philosopher Daniel (132).
*132. Of Belukia (132A).
*133. The Travels of Sinbad—certain seven voyages, &c. (133).
134. Of the Town of Copper (134).
135. Of the Seven Virgins and the Slave (135).
*136. Story of Judais (136).
137. The Wonderful History.
138. Of Abdullah lmni Mohammi.
139. Of Hind Imni Haman (139).
140. Of Chazmimé Imni Bashés (140).
141. Of Jonas the Secretary (141).
142. Of Haroun al-Rashid (142).
143. Of ditto.
144. Of Ebon Isaac Ibrahim (144).
145. Of Haroun al Raschid, Misroor and the Poet.
146. Of the Caliph Moavia.
147. Of Haroun al Raschid.
148. Of Isaac Imni Ibrahim (148),
149. Of Ebwi Amér.
*150. Of Achmet Ezenth and the old Female Pimp.
151. Of the three Brothers.
152. Of Erdeshir and Hiaker, of Julmar El Bacharia (152).
153. Of Mahomet, &c.
154. Ditto (154?).
*155. Story of Safil Moluki (154A).
*156. Of Hassan, &c. (155).
*157. Of Caliph the Hunter (156).
*158. Of Mersir and his Mistress (157).
159. Of Noureddin and Mary (158).
160. Of a Bedouin and a Frank (159).
161. Of a Man of Baghdad and his Female Slave (160).
162. Of a King, his Son, and the Vizir Shemar (161).
*163. Of a Merchant and the Thieves.
*164. Of Abousir and Aboukir (162).
*165. Abdulak El Beri and Abdulak El Backari (163).
*166. Of Haroun al Raschid.
167. Of the Merchant Abul Hassan al-Omani (164).
168. Of Imnil Echarib (168).
169. Of Moted Bila.
*170. Of Kamasi Zemuan (167).
*171. Of Abdulah Imni Fasil (168).
*172. The Story of Maroof (169).
IMITATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS WORKS HAVING MORE OR LESS
CONNECTION WITH THE NIGHTS.
The success of Galland’s work led to the appearance of numerous
works more or less resembling it, chiefly in England and France.
Similar imitations, though now less numerous, have continued to
appear down to the present day.
The most important of the older works of this class were
published in French in the “Cabinet des Fées” (Amsterdam and
Geneva, 1785–1793; 41 vols.); in English in “Tales of the East:
comprising the most popular Romances of Oriental origin, and the
best imitations by European authors, with new translations and
additional tales never before published, to which is prefixed an
introductory dissertation, containing an account of each work and
of its author or translator. By Henry Weber, Esq.” (Edinburgh,
1812, 3 vols.); and in German in “Tausand und ein Tag.
Morgenländische Erzählungen aus dem Persisch, Turkisch und
Arabisch, nach Petis de la Croix, Galland, Cardonne, Chavis und
Cazotte, dem Grafen Caylus, und Anderer. Übersetzt von F. H. von
der Hagen” (Prenzlau, 1827–1837, 11 vols.). In the “Cabinet des
Fées” I find a reference to an older collection of tales (partly
Oriental) called the “Bibliothèque des Fées et des Génies,” by
the Abbé de la Porte, which I have not seen, but which is, in
part, incorporated in the “Cabinet.” It formed only 2 vols. 12mo,
and was published in 1765.
The examination of these tales is difficult, for they comprise
several classes, not always clearly defined:—
1. Satires on The Nights themselves (e.g. the Tales of the
Count of Hamilton).
2. Satires in an Oriental garb (e.g. Beckford’s Vathek).
3. Moral tales in an Oriental garb (e.g. Mrs. Sheridan’s
Nourjahad).
4. Fantastic tales with nothing Oriental about them but the
name (e.g. Stevenson’s New Arabian Nights).
5. Imitations pure and simple (e.g. G. Meredith’s Shaving of
Shagpat).
6. Imitations more or less founded on genuine Oriental sources
(e.g. the Tales of the Comte de Caylus).
7. Genuine Oriental Tales (e.g. Mille et une Jours, translated
by Petis de la Croix).
Most of the tales belonging to Class 7 and some of those
belonging to Class 6 have been treated of in previous sections.
The remaining tales and imitations will generally need only a
very brief notice; sometimes only the title and the indication of
the class to which they belong. We will begin with an enumeration
of the Oriental contents of the Cabinet des Fées, adding W. i.,
ii. and iii. to show which are included in Weber’s “Tales of the
East”:—
7–11. 1001 Nuits (W. 1).
12, 13. Les Aventures d’Abdalla (W. iii).
14, 15. 1001 Jours (Persian tales, W. ii.). 16. Histoire de la
Sultane de Perse et des Visirs. Contes Turcs (Turkish
tales, W. 3==our 251).
16. Les Voyages de Zulma dans le pays des Fées.
17, 18. Contes de Bidpai.
19. Contes Chinois, on les Aventures merveilleuses du Mandarin
Fum-Hoam (W. iii.). 21, 22. Les Mille et un Quart d’Heures.
Contes Tartares (W. iii.).
22, 23. Les Sultanes de Guzerath, ou les Songes des hommes
eveillés. Contes Moguls (W. iii.).
25. Nouveaux Contes Orientaux, par le Comte de Caylus (W. ii.).
29, 30. Les Contes des Génies (W. iii.).
30. Les Aventures de Zelouide et d’Amanzarifdine.
30. Contes Indiens par M. de Moncrif.
33. Nourjahad (W. ii.).
34. Contes de M. Pajon.
38–41. Les Veillées du Sultan Schahriar, &c. (Chavis and Cazotte;
cf. anteà, p. 419; W. i. ii.).
(Weber also includes, in his vol. ii. Nos. 21a, 22, 32 and 37,
after Caussin de Perceval.)
12, 13. The Adventures of Abdallah, the Son of Hanif (Class 5 or
6).
Originally published in 1713; attributed to M. de Bignon, a young
Abbé. A series of romantic travels, in which Eastern and Western
fiction is mixed; for instance, we have the story of the Nose-tree,
which so far as I know has nothing Oriental about it.
16. The Voyages of Zulma in Fairy Land (Class 4).
European fairy tales, with nothing Oriental about them but the
names of persons and places. The work is unfinished.
17, 18. The Tales of Bidpai (translated by Galland) are Indian,
and therefore need no further notice here.
19–23. Chinese, Tartarian and Mogul Tales (Class 6).
Published in 1723, and later by Thomas Simon Gueulette.
Concerning these tales, Mr. Clouston remarks (in litt.): “Much of
the groundwork of these clever imitations of the Arabian Nights
has been, directly or indirectly, derived from Eastern sources;
for instance, in the so-called Tartar tales, the adventures of
the Young Calender find parallels, (1) in the well-known Bidpai
tale of the Bráhman, the Sharpers and the Goat (Kalila and Dimna,
Pánchatantra, Hitopadesa, &c.) and (2) in the worldwide story of
the Farmer who outwitted the Six Men (Indian Antiquary, vol. 3)
of which there are many versions current in Europe, such as the
Norse tale of Big Peter and Little Peter, the Danish tale of
Great Claus and Little Claus; the German tale (Grimm) of the
Little Farmer; the Irish tale of Little Fairly (Samuel Lover’s
collection of Irish Fairy Legends and Stories); four Gaelic
versions in Campbell’s Popular Tales of the West Highlands; a
Kaba’il version in Riviere’s French collection (Contes populaires
Kabylies); Uncle Capriano in Crane’s recently published Italian
Popular Tales; and a Latin mediæval version (written probably in
the I **1th century) in which the hero is called Unibos,’
because he had only one cow.”
25. Oriental Tales (Class 6).
Mr. Clouston observes, “Appeared in 1749,[FN#472] and on the
title page are said to have been translated from MSS. in the
Royal French Library. The stories are, however, largely the
composition of De Caylus himself, and those elements of them
which are traceable to Asiatic sources have been considerably
Frenchified.”
Nevertheless they are not without interest, and are nearly all of
obviously Oriental origin. One of the stories is a fantastic
account of the Birth of Mahomet, including romantic travels
largely borrowed from No. 132a. Another story is a version of
that of the Seven Sleepers. Other noteworthy tales are the story
of the Dervish Abounader, which resembles Nos. 193 and 216d; and
the story of Naerdan and Guzulbec, which is a tale of magical
illusions similar to that of Monia Emin, in the Turkish story of
Jewad.
The Count de Caylus was the author of various European as well as
Oriental fairy tales. Of his Oriental collection, Sir R. F.
Burton remarks:—“The stories are not Eastern but Western fairy
tales proper, with kings and queens, giants and dwarfs, and
fairies, good and bad. Barbets’ act as body guard and army.
Written in good old style, and free language, such as, for
instance, son pétenlaire, with here and there a touch of salt
humour, as in Rosanie Charmante reine (car on n’a jamais parlé
autrement à une reine, quel que laide qu’elle ait été).’”
29, 30. Tales of the Genii (Class 3).
Written in the middle of the last century by Rev. James Ridley,
but purporting to be translated from the Persian of Horam, the
son of Asmar, by Sir Charles Morell.
These tales have been reprinted many times; but it is very
doubtful if they are based on any genuine Oriental sources. The
amount of Oriental colouring may be guessed from the story of
Urad, who having consented to become the bride of a Sultan on
condition that he should dismiss all his concubines, and make her
his sole queen (like Harald Harfagr on his marriage with
Ragnhilda), is presented to his loving subjects as their Sultana!
32. Adventures of Zeloide and Amanzarifdine. Indian Tales, by M.
de Moncrif (Class 4). Ordinary European Fairy Tales, with
the scene laid in the East.
33. Nourjahad, by Mrs. Sheridan (Class 3).
An unworthy favourite is reformed by a course of practical moral
lessons conveyed by the Sultan through supposed supernatural
agencies. Mr. Clouston regards it as “one of the very best of the
imitations of Eastern fiction. The plot is ingeniously conceived
and well wrought out, and the interest never flags throughout.”
34. Pajon’s Oriental Tales (Class 5). These demand no special
notice.
In addition to the above, the following Oriental works are
mentioned in the Cabinet des Fées, but not reprinted:
1. Apologues orientaux, par l’abbé Blanchet.
2. Mélanges de littérature orientale, par Cardonne. (Paris, 2
vols. 1770.)
3. Neraïr et Meloe, roman oriental, par H. B. Deblanes (1759).
4. Contes orientaux, par M. de la Dixmerie.
5. Les Cinq Cent Matinées et une demie, contes Syriens, par le
chevalier de Duclos.
6. Abassâi, conte oriental, par Mademoiselle Fault (ou
Fauques) 1752.
7. Les Contes du Serail, par Mdlle. Fault (1753.)
8. Kara Mustapha, conte oriental, par Fromaget (1745).
9. Zilia et Cénie, par Francoise d’Isembourg d’Hippincourt de
Graffigny.
10. Salned et Garalde, conte oriental, par A. H. De la Motte.
11. Anecdotes orientales, par G. Mailhol (2 vols. 1752).
12. Alzahel, traduit d’un manuscrit arabe, par Mdlle. Raigné de
Malfontaine (Mercure, 1773).
13. Mahmoud le Gasnevide, conte oriental, par J. F. Melon.
14. Contes Orientaux, ou les recits du Sage Caleb, voyageur
persan, par Mme. Mouet.
15. Nadir, par A. G. de Montdorge.
16. Lettres Persanes, de Montesquieu.
17. Les Amusements de Jour, ou recueil de petits contes, par
Mme. de Mortemar.
18. Mirloh, conte oriental, par Martine de Morville (1769).
19. Ladila, anecdote turque (par la même) 1769.
20. Daira, histoire orientale, par A. J. J. de la Riche de la
Poupelinière (1761).
21. Cara Mustapha, par de Preschat.
22. Des trois Nations, conte oriental, par Marianne Robert
(1760).
23. Contes Orientaux, tirés des manuscrits de la Bibliothèque du
Roi, 2 vols. 12mo (1749).
This is the same as the Count de Caylus’ Oriental Tales. Sir R.
F. Burton has received the following memorandum, respecting a
copy of an earlier edition of the same work: “Contes Orientaux,
tirés des manuscrits de la Bibliothèque du Roy de France, ornés
de figures en taille douce. A la Haye, 1743, 2 vols. 12mo,
polished calf gilt, gilt edges, arms in gilt on the sides.
“The Preface says, M. Petit et M. Galland n’ont en aucune
connaissance des manuscrits dont cet ouvrage est tiré.’
“The Tales are from the MSS. and translations sent by those
despatched by the French Ministers to Constantinople to learn
Arabic, &c., and so become fit to act as Dragomans and
Interpreters to the French Embassy.”
There is a copy of this work in the British Museum; it proves, as
I expected, to be the series of tales subsequently attributed to
the Count de Caylus.
In addition to the above, the following, of which I can only give
the names, are mentioned in the Cabinet des Fées, but not
reprinted:—
1. Alma-Moulin, conte oriental, 1779.
2. Gengiskan, histoire orientale, par M. de St. M.
3. Almanzor et Zelira, conte arabe, par M. Bret. (1772). {From
“les mercures.”}
4. Almerine et Zelima, ou les Dangers de la Beauté, conte
orientale, 1773. {From “les mercures.”}
5. Les Ames, conte arabe, par M. B————. {From “les
mercures.”}
6. Balky, conte oriental, 1768. {From “les mercures.”}
7. Mirza, ou Is necessité d’etre utile (1774). {From “les
mercures.”}
8. Zaman, histoire orientale, par M. B. {From “les mercures.”}
9. Anecdotes Orientales, par Mayol, 1752. 12mo.
10. Contes très moguls.
11. Foka ou les Metamorphoses, conte chinois. Derobé à M.
de V. 1777. 12mo.
12. Mahulem, histoire orientale. 12mo, 1776.
13. Mille et une heure, contes Peruviens. 4 vols. 12mo,
1733.
14. Histoire de Khedy, Hermite de Mont Ararat. Conte
orientale, traduit de l’Anglais, 12mo, 1777.
15. Zambeddin, histoire orientale. 12mo, 1768.
16. Zelmoille et Zulmis et Turlableu. Par M. l’Abbé de
Voisem, 12mo, 1747.
17. Roman Oriental, Paris, 1753.
The remaining imitations, &c., known to me I shall place roughly
in chronological order, premising that I fear the list must be
very incomplete, and that I have met with very few except in
English and French.
A.—French
1. Zadig, ou la Destinée, par Voltaire[FN#473] probably
partakes of classes 2 and 6; said to be partly based on
Gueulette’s “Soirées Bretonnes,” published in 1712. The latter is
included in Cabinet des Fées, Vol. 32.
2. Vathek, an Arabian Tale, by William Beckford. I include this
book here because it was written and first published in French.
Its popularity was once very great, and it contains some
effective passages, though it belongs to Class 2, and is rather a
parody than an imitation of Oriental fiction. The Caliph Vathek,
after committing many crimes at the instance of his mother, the
witch Carathis, in order to propitiate Eblis, finally starts on
an expedition to Istakar. On the way, he seduces Nouronihar, the
beautiful daughter of the Emir Fakreddin, and carries her with
him to the Palace of Eblis, where they am condemned to wander
eternally, with their hearts surrounded with flames.