S5 FRAGMENTS differs from ours. There cannot be a doubt that D'Herbelot is incorrect. The word Koran (for there is no c in the Arabic language) is derived from the verb Kora, to read ; koran, reading : Al is the article ; but, in this instance, D'Herbelot uses this article twice, which is certainly erroneous, for /* is the French article in the word in question, and al is the Arabic article ; whereas one article only should precede a noun. L'Alcoran and the Alcoran are therefore equally incorrect; for the word in French should be Le Coran; in English, the Koran; therefore Voltaire was correct. I have thought it expedient to anake these observations, because standing in Hichardson's Grammar on the authority of learned orientalists, they are calculated to mislead the Arabic student Decay ofScience and the Arts among the Arahs The literary fire of the Arabs and Persians has been extinguished upwards of 300 years; but before that period, the encouragement to learning in the East was unprecedented, and has never been equalled by any European nation either before or since that period. Kadder Khan, king of Turquestan, was the greatest support to science. When he appeared abroad, he was preceded by 700 horsemen, with silver battle-axes, and was followed by an equal number bearing maces of gold. He supported with magnificent appointment a literary academy in his palace, consisting of 100 men oi'