[FN#159] In his “Memoire sur l’origine du Recueil des Contes intitule Les Mille et une Nuits” (Mem. d’Hist. et de Litter.  Orientale, extrait des tomes ix., et x. des Memoires de l’Inst.  Royal Acad. des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1833).  He read the Memoir before the Royal Academy on July 31, 1829.  Also in his Dissertation “Sur les Mille et une Nuits” (pp. i. viii.) prefixed to the Bourdin Edit.  When first the Arabist in Europe landed at Alexandria he could not exchange a word with the people the same is told of Golius the lexicographer at Tunis.

[FN#160] Lane, Nights ii. 218.

[FN#161] This origin had been advocated a decade of years before by Shaykh Ahmad al-Shirawani; Editor of the Calc. text (1814-18):  his Persian preface opines that the author was an Arabic speaking Syrian who designedly wrote in a modern and conversational style, none of the purest withal, in order to instruct non-Arabists.  Here we find the genus “Professor” pure and simple.

[FN#162] Such an assertion makes us enquire, Did De Sacy ever read through The Nights in Arabic?

[FN#163] Dr. Jonathan Scott’s “translation” vi. 283.

[FN#164] For a note on this world-wide Tale see vol. i. 52.

[FN#165] In the annotated translation by Mr. I. G. N. Keith-Falconer, Cambridge University Press.  I regret to see the wretched production called the “Fables of Pilpay” in the “Chandos Classics” (London, F. Warne).  The words are so mutilated that few will recognize them, e.g.  Carchenas for Kar-shinas, Chaschmanah for Chashmey-e-Mah (Fountain of the Moon), etc.

[FN#166] Article Arabia in Encyclop.  Brit., 9th Edit., p. 263, colt 2.  I do not quite understand Mr. Palgrave, but presume that his “other version” is the Bresl.  Edit., the MS. of which was brought from Tunis; see its Vorwort (vol. i. p. 3).

[FN#167] There are three distinct notes according to De Sacy (Mem., p. 50).  The first (in MS. 1508) says “This blessed book was read by the weak slave, etc.  Wahabah son of Rizkallah the Katib (secretary, scribe) of Tarabulus al-Sham (Syrian Tripoli), who prayeth long life for its owner (li maliki-h).  This tenth day of the month First Rabi’a A.H. 955 (= 1548).”  A similar note by the same Wahabah occurs at the end of vol. ii. (MS. 1507) dated A.H. 973 (= 1565) and a third (MS. 1506) is undated.  Evidcntly M. Caussin has given undue weight to such evidence.  For further information see “Tales of the East” to which is prefixed an Introductory Dissertation (vol. i. pp. 24-26, note) by Henry Webber, Esq., Edinburgh, 1812, in 3 vols.

[FN#168] “Notice sur les douze manuscrits connus des Milles et une Nuits, qui existent en Europe.”  Von Hammer in Trebutien, Notice, vol. i.

[FN#169] Printed from the MS. of Major Turner Macan, Editor of the Shahnamah:  he bought it from the heirs of Mr. Salt, the historic Consul-General of England in Egypt and after Macan’s death it became the property of the now extinct Allens, then of Leadenhall Street (Torrens, Preface, i.).  I have vainly enquired about what became of it.