93 all instruments of music were broken. Thus, in the Arabian Nights: “Haroun al Raschid wept over Schemselnihar, and, before he left the room, ordered all the musical instruments to be broken.” Vol. II. p. 196.

94 Imans began to recite their prayers. An iman is the principal priest of a mosque. It was the office of the imans to precede the bier, praying as the procession moved on. Relig. Cerem. vol. VII. p. 117.

95 the angel of death had opened the portal of some other world. The name of this exterminating angel is Azrael, and his office is to conduct the dead to the abode assigned them; which is said by some to be near the place of their interment. Such was the office of Mercury in the Grecian Mythology. Sale’s Prelim. Disc. p. 101. Hyde in notis ad Bobov. p. 19. R. Elias, in Tishbi. Buxtorf Synag. Jud. et Lexic. Talmud. Homer. Odyss.

96 Monker and Nekir. These are two black angels of a tremendous appearance, who examine the departed on the subject of his faith: by whom, if he give not a satisfactory account, he is sure to be cudgelled with maces of red-hot iron, and tormented more variously than words can describe. Relig. Ceremon. vol. VII. p. 59. 68. 118. vol. V. p. 290. Sale’s Prelim. Disc. p. 101.

97 the fatal bridge. This bridge, called in Arabick al Siral, and said to extend over the infernal gulph, is represented as narrower than a spider’s web, and sharper than the edge of a sword. Yet the paradise of Mahomet can be entered by no other avenue. Those indeed who have behaved well need not be alarmed; mixed characters will find it difficult; but the wicked soon miss their standing, and plunge headlong into the abyss. Pocock in Port. Mos. p. 282, &c.

98 a certain series of years. According to the tradition from the Prophet, not less than nine hundred, nor more than seven thousand.

99 the sacred camel. It was an article of the Mahometan creed, that all animals would be raised again, and some of them admitted into paradise. The animal here mentioned appears to have been one of those white-winged camels caparisoned with gold, which Ali affirmed would be provided to convey the faithful. Relig. Cer. vol. VII. p. 70. Sale’s Prelim. Disc. p. 112. Al Janheri. Ebno’l Athir, &c.

100 the Caliph presented himself to the emir in a new light. The propensity of a vicious person, in affliction, to seek consolation from the ceremonies of religion, is an exquisite trait in the character of Vathek.

101 wine hoarded up in bottles, prior to the birth of Mahomet. The prohibition of wine by the Prophet materially diminished its consumption, within the limits of his own dominions. Hence a reserve of it might be expected, of the age here specified. The custom of hoarding wine was not unknown to the Persians, though not so often practised by them, as by the Greeks and the Romans.