By thus encouraging the advancement of literature, and by translating the most valuable works from the Greek, Chaldean, Persian, and Coptic languages, a love of learning, and a spirit of inquiry, were inspired into his subjects ; and the untamed and ferocious minds of the Saracens, were softened by the influence of know ledge and refinement, when surrounding nations were sunk in ignorance and barbarity. These innovations did not escape the prying notice of the orthodox Mus suhmans. They murmured at the religious toleration which reigned throughout the dominions of Almamon, and denounced him as an infidel for affording an asylum to Christian heretics, who trampled upon the holy doc trines of the prophet.
While Almamon was realizing these enlightened views, his attention was occasionally diverted by some petty warfares, which we cannot stop to record. A re bellion in Egypt compelled him to march to that dis tant province, from which he was destined never to re turn. After quelling the insurrection, and penetrating into the dominions of the Greek emperor, he directed his march towards Bagdad. His camp was pitched on the banks of the river Badandun. Impelled by thirst, he drank freely from the stream, and having after wards eaten plentifully of dates, he was seized with a. violent fever, which terminated his existence in the 48th or 49th year of his age, after a brilliant reign of nearly 21 years.
In retracing the events of Almamob's reign, it is dif ficult to persuade ourselves that we have been reading the history of a period coeval nearly with the darkest ages of Europe. At a time when the very name of a Christian was offensive to the followers of the prophet ; and when the sectaries even of the Christian church were hunting each other down, by the most atrocious persecutions, we find a Saracen caliph, who was far from being indifferent to the interests of his faith, invi ting Christians into his dominions, living in amity with men of every religion, and governing his people on the broad and liberal principles of universal toleration. While the fairest parts of Europe were enveloped in the thickest darkness, the rays of science were gilding the horizon of Bagdad ; and the few votaries of wisdom, whom time and superstition had spared, were instilling lessons of knowledge and virtue into the minds of the Saracens. And yet these were the people, whom, but a few centuries afterwards, the barbarous crusaders of Europe combined to extirpate There is, perhaps, no portion of history more preg nant with instruction than that of the caliphate of Al wanton. Legislators and statesmen may learn from it,
that religious liberty, and the cultivation of the public mind, are the grand secrets of national tranquillity ; and that unless the heterogeneous materials of which every state is composed, are consolidated by some common tic of interest or affection, they will prove the elements of perpetual discord. There are, perhaps, no two sys tems of Christian faith at such decided variance, as were the Mahometan houses of Ali and Abbas. By the advice of a wrong-headed minister, Almamon at tempted to elevate his favourite sect ; but he soon re pented of his rashness, and changed his schemes of re ligious exclusion into a system of unlimited toleration. The only commotions which disturbed his reign sprang from the attempt to depress the house of Abbas ; and had he persisted in his views, Ibrahim would have con tinued to reign. But when he began to govern on more liberal principles, he gained the hearts even of those who had raised his rival to the throne : He was rein stated in the caliphate, and thus secured tranquillity to himself, and happiness to his people.
The private character of Almamon was marked by virtues of the most amiable kind. Magnanimous and merciful he never exhibited the harsh and unbending features of a Saracen conqueror. He had learned to forgive eve]] his enemies, and he derived the most un mingled pleasure from such dispensations of mercy. After his uncle Ibrahim had been dragged from his concealment in Bagdad, and condemned to die by the council, he was brought into the presence of Almamon : "Your counsellors," said Ibrahim," have judged accord ing to the rules of government ; if you pardon me you will not indeed judge according to precedent, but you will have no equal among sovereigns." The feelings of Almamon were roused at this appeal to his affections : Embracing his relation, lie tenderly replied, "Uncle, be of good cheer, I will not injure you." Ibrahim was instantly released, and a fortune suitable to his rank was provided for him by his generous nephew. The compliments which were on this occasion paid to Al newton by his courtiers, drew from him this noble ex clamation ;—" Did men but know the pleasure I feel in pardoning, all who have offended me would conic and confess their faults." See Anquetil, Unities. tom. v. p. 1U5, 6, 7, 8. Hardion, Pint. Univers. tom. ii. p. 737. Modern Univ. Hist. vol. ii. p. 176. /list. des 11 kit/Irmal. par Noutticla, tom. i, p. 356. D'Herbelot Biblioth. Orient. voc. Almamon. See ALKENDI. (P)