Another graceful compliment. Of Ishak Ibn Ibrahim Al-Mausili, who was famous for his voice and was a "constant companion of the khalifs in their parties of pleasure," the khalif Al-Motasim charmingly said: "Ishak never yet sang without my feeling as if my possessions were increased." Another compliment that goes still deeper. Abu Nuwas, in a lament composed on the death of the khalif Al-Amin, said of him: _His death was the only thing I feared, and now nothing remains for me to dread._ These, however, were but speeches. Compliments may be conveyed also by deeds, as we find in the case of Imam Al-Haramain, who was so learned and acceptable a teacher that, at the moment of his death, his scholars, who were four hundred and one in number, broke their pens and inkhorns; and they let a full year pass over before they resumed their studies. Of these Persians we can believe in the sincerity; but the motives of English scholars performing a similar act of renunciation might be open to suspicion. Badi Az-Zaman Az-Hamadani was famous for his epistolary style. Here is a passage which, though written in Persia in the tenth century, might have aptness in English country houses at this moment: _When water has long remained at rest, its noxious qualities appear; and when its surface has continued tranquil, its foulness gets into motion. Thus it is with a guest: his presence is displeasing when his stay has been protracted, and his shadow is oppressive when the time for which he should sojourn is at an end. Adieu._ The khalif Ali Ibn Ali Talib was a very just man. Some one having committed a theft was brought before him. "Bring me witnesses," said Ali, "to prove that he purloined the object out of the saddle-bag." Unmistakable evidence to that effect being given, Ali immediately ordered the fingers of his hand to be cut off. On this some person said to him: "Commander of the Faithful! why not cut it off by the wrist?" "God forbid!" exclaimed the khalif; "how could he then lean on his staff? How could he pray? How could he eat?" In the Life of Ibn Abd Al-Barr, a Traditionist of Cordova, who, "it is stated, died in the year 380 (A.D. 990), but God knows best," a number of good stories are collected. This is one. "It is related that, when Adam was sent out of Paradise and down to earth by Almighty God, the angel Gabriel went to him and said: 'O Adam! God here sends you three qualities, so that you may select one of them for yourself and leave the two others.' "'What are they?' said Adam. "Gabriel replied: 'Modesty, Piety, and Intelligence.' "'I choose Intelligence,' said Adam. "The angel then told Modesty and Piety to return to Heaven, because Adam had made choice of Intelligence. "They answered: 'We will not return.' "'How!' said he. 'Do you mean to disobey me?' "They replied: 'We do not, but our orders were, never to quit Intelligence wherever she might be.'"