THE TRAVELS OF BURCKHARDT knowledge of oriental matters was wider and deeper than that of many of the most intelligent natives. It is a commonplace among the friends of many Europeans who have travelled in the East to assert that their knowledge of the Arabic language and of Muhammadan manners and customs was so profound that both Egyptians and Arabs failed to discover that they were not natives, but all such claims must be admitted with caution. In the case of Burckhardt, however, a story, which is supported by trustworthy authority, certainly proves that he possessed a very remarkable knowledge of the Arabic language, and of the Kur'an and its literature. When we remember that he resided at Mekka during the whole time of the pilgrimage, and passed through the various ceremonies of the occasion without the smallest suspicion arising among the natives as to his real character, this fact will not seem so surprising.

The story relates that at the time when" Burckhardt was at Mekka, Muhammed Ali was at Tayf, a town to the east of that city, and that when that distinguished traveller appealed to him for help in gettmg some of his banker's drafts honoured, the Pasha received him with great courtesy, and rendered him every assistance in his power, for he had heard of and known him in Cairo, and was well acquainted with the fact that, in spite of his knowledge of Arabic, and his ability to disguise himself as an Oriental, he was nevertheless a European. Muhammad Ali knew of Burckhardt's connexion with the African Association, and, wishing to find out to what extent he was able to pose successfully as a Muhammadan, he sent to him two of the most learned teachers of Muhammadan law that he could find in Arabia, and ordered them to test his knowledge of the Kur'an and of the theory and practice of its laws, both from the historical and traditional points of view. These teachers went to Burckhardt, and having conversed with him, and discussed with him many of the doctrines about which Muhammadans themselves split so many hairs, they were convinced by his remarks, which were supported by quotations from the Kur'an itself, and from numerous commentaries upon it, that he was not only a true Muslim, but an exceedingly learned one, and they returned to their master and reported accordingly. This story ought not to VOL. I.

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