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went into India, except two, viz. Yarah and Jorham; the former of whom, they say, gave the name both to their country and language. Ishmael and his mother Hagar having been dismissed by Abraham, entered into the wilderness of Paran, as related in the book of Genesis. The sacred historian informs us, that during his residence in the wilderness, he married an Egyptian; and the Arabian writers say that he also took to wife the daughter of Modad, king of Hejaz, lineally descended from Jorham the founder of that kingdom. By the Egyptian he was probably the father of the Scenite or Wild Arabs; and having allied himself to the Jorhamites, he is considered by the Arabians as the father of the greatest part of their nation.
But a particular history of the Arabs i aside from the purpose of this appendix. The propagation of a new religion, and the founding of a vast empire, by their countryman Mahomet, are subjects, with which every one are acquainted. Their national character which may apply to the nation at large, will undoubtedly be truly drawn for the wretched inhabitants of a barren-coast, seperated from society, and living wholly under the wants of poverty, and the influence of evil passions: —On the seacoast (says Guthrie⚫) they are mere pirate, of whatever nation.: The perpetual independence of the Arabs “has been the theme of praise (says Mr. Gibbon⚫) among strangers and natives. The kingdom of Yeman, it is |
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