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 _Preliminary Discourse_, p. 101. HYDE, _in notis ad Bobov._, p. 19. R. ELIAS, in _Tishbi_. BUXTORF, _Synag. Jud. et Lexic. Talmud_. HOMER, _Odyssey_. PAGE 250. _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.--_Religious Ceremonies_, vol. vii, pp. 59, 68-118; vol. v, p. 290. SALE’S _Preliminary Discourse_, p. 101. PAGE 250. _... the fatal bridge_ This bridge, called in Arabic _al Sirat_, and said to extend over the infernal gulf, is represented as narrower than a spider’s web, and sharper than the edge of a sword. Though the attempt to cross it be-- “More full of peril, and advent’rous spirit, Than to o’erwalk a current, roaring loud, On the unsteadfast footing of a spear;” 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.--POCOCKE in _Port. Mos._, p. 282, etc. Milton apparently copied from this well-known fiction, and not, as Dr. Warton conjectured, from the poet Sadi, his way-- “Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf Tamely endured a bridge of wond’rous length, From hell continued, reaching the utmost orb Of this frail world.” PAGE 250. _... a certain series of years_ According to the tradition from the prophet, not less than nine hundred, nor more than seven thousand. PAGE 250. _... 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 had been provided to convey the faithful.--_Religious Ceremonies_, vol. vii, p. 70. SALE’S _Preliminary Discourse_, p. 112. AL JAUHERI. EBNO’L ATHIR, etc. PAGE 251. _... basket-making_ This sort of basket work hath been long used in the East, and consists of the leaves of the date-bearing palm. Panniers of this texture are of great utility in conveying fruits, bread, etc., whilst heavier articles, or such as require a more compact covering, are carried in bags of leather, or skin.--HASSELQUIST’S _Voyage_, p. 26. PAGE 251. _... 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. PAGE 255. _... the waving of fans_