Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-24
From the History Of Arabia, an Harper's F'ana-
Ey Library.
TuE MAHoMMEDAN PARADISE.

/ The measures of fecility will be proportioned
TO the deserts of the individual, the most emf
hent degree being reserved tor the prophets, the
second for the doctors and teachers OF the
mosques, the next for the martyrs and the last
for the common herd of believers The celes-
tial lows of Mohammed were addressed chiefly
to the indulgence Of luxury and appetite. Ri
vers of water, trees of gold, tents OF rubles and
emeralds, beds of musk, garments OF the richest
brocades, crowns set with pearls Of matchless
lustre, silken carpets couches and pillows OF de-
lcate embroidery, are among the rare treasures
provided for the qualification of the external
senses. Other entertainments are on scale OF
similar magnifcence. Whatever is subject to
waste requires sustenance; and the hungry saints
will find abundant supply In loaf as large as
the whole globe, in the flesh of oxen, and IN the
liver of fishes (delicacies among the Arabs, one
lobe of which will suffice 10000 men. While
eating, each will be served in golden dishes to
the amount of 800, and waited on by as many
attendants. Wine, forbidden in this life, will be
freely allowed in the next; and may be drunk
to excess without palling on the taste or incur
ring the risk of intoxicaton The Tooba, or
tree of happiness so large that the heetest horse
could not gallop in hundred years from one
end of its shadow TO the other,-bearlng dates,
grapes, and all manner Of fruits, OF surprising
bigness and inconceivable relish, Will extend Its
loaded boughs to the couch Of every believer,
bending spontaneously to his hand, and inviting
| him to pluck of its vintage. And should his ca
PRECIOUS desires incline its branches yield the
/ flesh of birds or animals dressed according to
his wishes; while from its expanding blossoms
will burst vestureS of green Silk and beasts 10
ride on ready saddled, and adorned with costly
| trappings That every sense may have con-
genial qualification, the ear will be ravshed
with the melodious songs of angels and hours,
with the vocal harmony of the trees, and the
| Eoan chime of the bells that hang on their
branches, moved by the winds ofheaven.
When TO this train of gorgeous and sensual
luxury are added to seventy-two damses (the
portion of the humblest of the faithfully whose
charms shall eclipse all other glories, whose
compilations are bright as rubies and whose
| eyes, resembling "pearls hidden in their shells, J"
| shall never wander to any but their husbands, we
may form tolerable conception of those de-
| lights to which the voluptuous Mussulman looks
| forward as his chief felicity in another world.
| The most exquisite and artificial pleasures Of
this life become inspd from long possession,
or superluous from the limited capacities Off their
mortal owner Mahommed has made provls-
| ion againt both contingencies. AT whatever pc
Rod believers may die on EARTH in heaven they
shall never exceed the potent and animated age
of 60. A moment of happiness will be prolonged
| to 1000 years. and the enjoyment will be enhanc-
| ed by an increase of abilities to the extent of
hundred fold. Amid the endless varieties of
| flavor and fragrance, their appettes Will never
cloy. The eye of the enraptured possessor, so
strong will be its vision, will wander over his
gardens and groves, and descry the beauties of
his wives and his wealth at the distance of 1000
| years journey. Should any of the faithful de-
sire children (for without the wish the end would
| be unaccomplished,) the space of one hour will
suffice for the birth and growth of young be-
lever sixty cubits high,-the alleged stature of
Adam, and the standard height of paradise.
Or should his fancyturn TO the rustic pleasures OF
agriculture, moment of time will see his luxu-
RANT crops spring up and come to maturity.