Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

PERSIAN POETS. 89

of the King who treated him scurvily after his
immense labour in that noble work, " The Shah
Namah." I have a sketch of Fierdowsee's life,
which my husband translated for me ; but I
must forbear giving it here, as I have heard the
whole work itself is undergoing a translation by
an able Oriental scholar, who will doubtless
do justice both to " The Shah Namah" and the
character of Fierdowsee, who is in so great
estimation with the learned Asiatics.

The Mussulmauns quote their favourite poets
with much the same freedom that the more en-
lightened nations are wont to use with their
famed authors. The moral precepts of Saadie
are often introduced with good effect, both in
writing and speaking, as beacons to the inex-
perienced.

Haafiz has benefited the Mussulmaun world
by bright effusions of genius, which speak to
successive generations the wonders of his ex-
traordinary mind. He was a poet of great
merit; his style is esteemed superior to the
writers of any other age; and, notwithstand-