Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-26
NIAIISNFT

The following account of this extraordinary
character is compiled from n york recently nub
iiShed by VI. Beauyoisins, sotrro time n p;isoua,
with the Turks; from which source we shall nro.
badly give further authentic particulars lluetra-
i've OF their customs. manners &c. at all tj;ncs
highly interesting but particularly so at the pres
ent tune, when important changes seem work
ing IN every part OF ,heir extensive eIrpiro.
Mahoinet was born III the sixth century oC
t!e christian nra, IN the town Of Jesr eb in Ara
bla, now called Mednathel-nebi. the town off
prophet His father, whose name was AbdaI
tan. and his mother Eminc, where Jews of tbn
lowest condition. His father diving, he was on
trusted by his mother to his uncle Saiutalcbi hy
whom lac shortly abandoned He was az
forwards enslaved and sold TO a rich merchant
named Abdemonopie, who employed him at first
TO tend his camels. In this situation he travel.
led INTO Persia. Egypt, aud Palestine, but his
talent IN trade afterwards gained for him the OBJ
Scrvance and regard of his MASTER At this nc
rod monk named Scrgus, hvine from the
danger to Inch an accusation of heresv ov,,os
ed hun, received hospitality at the house of Alb
deinonopie, where ne found Mahomet. and oh
serving his gendS and ambition. was the first 70
devote his council, to their advancement. Alb
deinonope dying, left his immense wealth solo
W TO his widow, who, in spite of the DISPARITY
winch her fifty rcars created, proposed marry
ing Mahomei, then a vounr man. The adro;t
Sergies, truy imagining tue consequence that
such an requirement of wealth would Weld his
pupil seconded her wishes to their cornnletior
SergIus. awaiting himself of the genius of Ma
homet to be revenged on the christian church
from which he had been rejected, PROMISED TO
attempt the foundation of new religion Ma.
homet seized the proposition, and IN pursuance
of its success lie retired from the hatnts of men
for two years, living in the most savare. and
lpcpTf nlaCpC 'Thi- IiE,, IF l.
olent attacks ofepilepsy to- which lac became sub
ject rendered him, as lie wished, the object Of
an insatiate curiosity. His wife caused il to be
published that her husband was inspired. and
that his fits Of epilepsy were divine possessions.
caused by the visitation Of the angel Gabriel
when lie communed with him. Already Ma
hornet was looked upon as a prophet in his own
house and neighbourhood; the parents of his
wife embraced his laws; Sergius invented
miracles, and the Koran was published.
Several Arabian princes armed themselves to
chastise thclmpostor: but his address, and royer
over the populacc and tn slaves, soon acquired
Tor him an army that quickly sublugatcd aU
Judea 10 him. lie named his new prosclytcs
Saracens, IN memory of Sarah, the wife of Abra
ham II was these whomhe carried against ITO
rachtus, emperor of the East. He quickly con
quored Arabia, Egypt, and Barbary, and caused
himself TO be crowned at Damascus. The re-.
inaiuder othis life was devoted to strcnrtbenino,
hIs interest with his people, by new inventions
which he exercised on their crcdulitv. lie dio5
at Nadina Of a pleurisy. Feeling bis death
draw near, he imposed upon his disciples fiat
they should rIgidy guard his body, for tle tl,ird
day he shoud return to life; this however. not
occurring, his remains were deposited in an
IRON cof1D, which IS said to be suspended be-
tween the hoof and the roof Of the temple; an