The Sun.
London, England, 1829-06-09 00:00:00

MAHOMET.

The following account of Mohammed's fa-
bulous visit to the Seven Heavens, is copied
from the History of the Ottoman Empire, form-
ing part of Constable's Miscellany :
" While I was in the Kaaba, reclining on the
sacred stone, Gabriel came to me ; he opened
my breast, and took out my heart, and washed
it in a golden basin full of the water of faith, and
then restored it to its place. Afterwards a white
beast was brought to me, less than a mule and
larger than an ass, called Al Barak (the light-
ning), so swift, that he finished his course in the
twinkling of an eye." In the first heaven
Muliammed declares that he met and discoursed
with Adam ; in the second with John Bapt;st
and Jesus (Isa); in the third, with the Patriarch
Joseph ; in the fourth, with Edris or Enoch ;
in the Mil, with Aaron; in the sixth, with
Moses ; in the seventh, with Abraham. Thence
he was carried up to Sedrat, the lotus tree,
whence were the sources of the four rivers of
Paradise. At last he came to the throne of God.
In the conclusion of this extraordinary fabrica-
tion, he skilfully adds, that when he was en-
joined to repeat fifty prayers each day, he en-
treated for his nation, and they were finally re-
duced at his intercession to five, To finish the
wonder, he was returned back to the Kaaba ere
the crier called him to prayers ; and " thus,"
concluded Mohammed, " did I bring with me
the prescribed number of prayers, and lessened
the burden for my nation."
It may easily be supposed that this vision was
not readily or universally accepted ; but at a pub-
lic meeting, Mohammed appealed to his father-
in-law Abubeker for the authenticity of the
story, who at once declaring that he believed
the whole, the people were thereby either si-
lenced or convinced. In this memorable year
twelve citizens of Medina swore allegiance and
obedience to the Prophet, whence they were
styled Al Ansar, " the defenders ;" and the year
A.D. 620 was styled the " accepted year." On
Mount Acaba 73 more proselytes were soon
added to their number, and " swore to defend
the Prophet from all insult, as they defended
their own wives and children. If," said they to
the Apostle of God, " we be slain in thy cause,
what shall be our reward ?" He answered,
" Paradise." Then said they, " Stretch forth
thy right hand," and they did so ; then they
took the oath of obedience, promising rather to
die than be perjured. He now established
twelve apostles of Islamism, himself being the
prime instructor and chief of all the true be-
lievers ; and he then sent away the auxiliaries,
his followers, and his family, to Medina for se-
curity, and remained behind at Mecca, attended
only by Abubeker and his son-in-law Ali.
By the protection which his uncle Abu Taleb
had hitherto extended to Mohammed, lie had
been preserved thus far from his enemies ; but
the charge and dignity of the priest and guardian,
of the Kaaba having now become the post of a
member of the family of Ommyiah, a declared
enemy to the family of Haschem, the oreishites,
irritated and alarmed at the progress making by
the new doctrine at Medina, resolved to destroy
its author and chief support. This design,
however, became known ; and Mohammed and
Abubeker withdrew from the fate that otherwise
inevitably awaited them. Their safety was chiefly
owing to the generous devotion of Ali, who
clad in the green mantle of the Prophet, and
reclining on the same bed, magnanimously courted
the death intended by foes for his master ; yet
even the hatred of enemies respected the eleva-
tion of mind evinced by Ali. On ascertaining
the flight of their proposed victim, they followed.
swiftly his traces to Medina.
In the recesses of a cave near Mecca, Mu-
hammed and Abubeker eluded for three days
the pursuit of their enemies. " There are only
two of us," said the apprehensive disciple when
he expected the pursuer to penetrate their re-
treat—" There is a third, even God himself,"
said his intrepid chief; " he will defend us."
After a perilous journey, Mohammed en-
tered Medina in triumph, being enthusiastically
received by the Ansars, who disputed for the
honour of entertaining the Prophet, and took
hold of the bridle of his camel: Mohammed
then desired them to let her take her own way,
for she was a stubborn beast ; which she took
accordingly, and stopped at the stable of two
rich orphans, Sahali and Sohaili, where the
Prophet dismounted. This spot the Prophet
purchased from the orphans, after refusing their
offer to bestow it upon him, and Abubeker paid
the money. He erected thereon a mosque and
a habitation for himself, on which he laboured
with his own hands.

The " SPECIAL EXPRESS!!!"—An Evening
Paper of yesterday puts forth, with a great deal of pomp,
and with the head of "special express," what it denomi-
nates " highly important particulars of the war in the
East." We would fain hope that the Paper in question
has been imposed upon by some stock-jobbing correspon-
dent on the Hainburgh side of the water; fur the intelli-
gence communicated as having been received " by special
i
express," and as containing " important particulars of the
progress of the war in the East," is neither more nor less
than a Russian bulletin which we printed several days
ago ! A Morning cotemporary had, we believe, last year,
a similar express from Durham, which reached town in
ten days ! Such things are not creditable to the parties
concerned.—Morning Advertiser.

MAILS.
Arrived., d Due. Arrived. Due.
O America 0 1 Hamburgh 0
O Brazil
O Buenos Ayree 0 0 Jamaica
1 Dublin 0 0 Leeward Islands ... 0
O Flanders 0 0 Lisbon.... 1
O France 0 0 Malta I
1 Gottenburg h 0 0 Mexico
O G uemsey & Jersey.. 0 1 Waterford 0

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORROW.
Morning ...53 minutes after 7. 1 Evening ...23 minutes after 8.

THE COLOSSEUM.

THE Public are respectfully invited to an
inspection of this MAGNIFICENT EXHIBI-
TION in its progress towards Completion. The Works
consist of a STUPENDOUS PANORAMA of LONDON
taken from the summit of ST. PAUL'S, a SALOON for
the reception of WORKS of ART, an extensive range of
CONSERVATORIES, stocked with the CHOICEST
PLANTS, and a SWISS COTTAGE, &c. &c.
Admission 59. each Person from Ten till Dusk daily.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.
MR. CAVENDISH'S COMMITTEE
respectfully announce that the Day of ELECTION
is fixed for TUESDAY, the 16th instant. The Poll will
open at Eight o'clock in the morning, and close at Four
in the afternoon of that day and Wednesday. It will close
finally in the course of Thursday.
Arrangements have been made for facilitating the con-
veyance of Members of the Senate, both to and from Cam-
bridge, with all possible expedition. Mr. Cavendish's
Friends have provided ample accommodation at Cam-
bridge for his Out-voters. It is requested that all inquiries
and communications may be addressed to Mr. Cavendish's
Committee, who sit constantly at the British Coffee-
house, Cockspur-street.
June 8, 1829. CHARLES BARRAGE, Chairman.