Parchments of the like mysterious import are frequent in the writings of the Easterns. One in particular, amongst the Arabians, is held in high veneration. It was written by Ali, and Giafar Sadek, in mystic characters, and is said to contain the destiny of the Mahometan religion, and the great events which are to happen previous to the end of the world. This parchment is of _camel’s skin_; but it was usual with Catherine of Medicis to carry about her person, a legend, in cabalistic characters, inscribed on the skin of a dead-born infant.--D’HERBELOT, p. 366. WRAXALL’S _House of Valois_. PAGE 219. _Istakar_ This city was the ancient Persepolis, and capital of Persia, under the kings of the three first races. The author of _Lebtarikh_ writes, that Kischtab there established his abode, erected several temples to the element of fire, and hewed out for himself and his successors sepulchres in the rocks of the mountain contiguous to the city. The ruins of columns and broken figures which still remain, defaced as they were by Alexander and mutilated by time, plainly evince that those ancient potentates had chosen it for the place of their interment. Their monuments, however, must not be confounded with the superb palace reared by Queen Homai, in the midst of Istakhar; which the Persians distinguish by the name of _Tchilminar_, or the forty watch-towers. The origin of this city is ascribed by some to Giamschid, and others carry it higher; but the Persian tradition is, that it was built by the _Peris_, or Fairies, when the world was governed by Gian Ben Gian.--D’HERBELOT, p. 327. PAGE 219. _Gian Ben Gian_ By this appellation was distinguished the monarch of that species of beings, whom the Arabians denominate _Gian_ or _Ginn_; that is, _Genii_; and the Tarikh Thabari, _Peris_, _Feez_, or _Fairies_. He was renowned for his warlike expeditions and stupendous structures. According to Oriental writers, the pyramids of Egypt were amongst the monuments of his power. The buckler of this mighty sovereign, no less famous than that of Achilles, was employed by three successive Solimans, to achieve their marvellous exploits. From them, it descended to Tahamurath, surnamed _Divbend_, or _Conqueror of the_ GIANTS. This buckler was endowed with most wonderful qualities, having been fabricated by talismanic art; and was alone sufficient to destroy all the charms and enchantments of demons or giants; which, on the contrary, were wrought by magic. Hence we are no longer at a loss for the origin of the wonderful shield of Atlante. The reign of Gian Ben Gian over the Peris is said to have continued for two thousand years; after which, EBLIS was sent by the Deity to exile them, on account of their disorders, and confine them in the remotest region of the earth.--D’HERBELOT, p. 396. BAILLY, _Sur l’Atlantide_, p. 147. PAGE 219. _... the talismans of Soliman_