[514]. Arab. “Lajlaj” lit. = rolling anything round the mouth when eating; hence speaking inarticulately, being tongue-tied, stuttering, etc.
[515]. The classical “Phylarchs,” who had charge of the Badawin.
[516]. “The Jabábirah” (giant-rulers of Syria) and the “Akásirah” (Chosroës-Kings of Persia).
[517]. This shows (and we are presently told) that the intruder was Al-Khizr, the “Green Prophet,” for whom see vol. iv. [175].
[518]. i.e. of salvation supposed to radiate from all Prophets, esp. from Mohammed.
[519]. This formula which has occurred from the beginning (vol. i. [1]) is essentially Koranic: See Chapt. li. 18–19 and passim.
[520]. This trick of the priest hidden within the image may date from the days of the vocal Memnon, and was a favourite in India esp. at the shrine of Somnauth (Soma-náth), the Moon-god, Atergatis Aphrodite, etc.
[521]. Arab. “Almás” = Gr. Adamas. In opposition to the learned ex-Professor Maskelyne I hold that the cutting of the diamond is of very ancient date. Mr. W. M. Flinders Patrie (The Pyramids and Temples of Gizah, London: Field and Tuer, 1884) whose studies have thoroughly demolished the freaks and unfacts, the fads and fancies of the “Pyramidists,” and who may be said to have raised measurement to the rank of a fine art, believes that the Euritic statues of old Egypt such as that of Khufu (Cheops) in the Bulak Museum were drilled by means of diamonds. Athenæus tells us (lib. v.) that the Indians brought pearls and diamonds to the procession of Ptolemy Philadelphus; and this suggests cutting, as nothing can be less ornamental than the uncut stone.
[522]. i.e. as if they were holding a “Durbar”; the King’s idol in the Sadr or place of honour and the others ranged about it in their several ranks.
[523]. These words are probably borrowed from the taunts of Elijah to the priests of Baal (I Kings xviii. 27). Both Jews and Moslems wilfully ignored the proper use of the image or idol which was to serve as a Keblah or direction of prayer and an object upon which to concentrate thought and looked only to the abuse of the ignobile vulgus who believe in its intrinsic powers. Christendom has perpetuated the dispute: Romanism affects statues and pictures! Greek orthodoxy pictures and not statues and the so-called Protestantism ousts both.