Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-11
MAHOMET.

Mr. Muir, in his new "Life of Mshomet,' y
thus describes his personal appearance and
habits: "His form, although little above the
ordinary hight, was stately and commanding.
The depth Of feeling in his dark black eye, and
the winning expression of face otherwise at
tractiye, gained the confidence and love even
of stranger. His features often unbended
into smile full Of grace and oondescension.
He was, says an admiring follower, the
ha1dsomest and bravest, the brightest-faced
and most generous of men. Yet when anger
kindled in his piercing glance, the object Of
his displeasure might well quail before it; his
stern frown was the certain augury Of death
to many a trembling captive. In the later
years of his life the formerly erect figure OF
Mahomet began to stoop. But his step was
still firm and quick. His gait had deem likened
to that of one descending rapidly hill. When
he made haste it was with diffculty that his
followers keptpace with him. He never turned
round, even if his mantle caught in thorny
bush, so that his attendants might talk and
laugh freely behind him, secure of being un-
observed. Thorough and complete in all his
actions, he never took in hand any work with
out bringing it to a close. The same habit
pervaded his manner in social intercourse.
Ii he turned in conversation toward friend,
he turned not partially, but with his full face
and his whole body. In shaking hands, he
was not the first to withdraw his own; nor was
he first to break off in converse with stranger,
nor to turn away his ear A patriarchal
simplicity pervaded his life. His custom was
to do everything for himself. If he gave an
aims he would place it with his own hand in
that of the petitioner. He aided his wives in
their household duties; he even cobbled his
sandals. His ordinary dress consisted of plain
white cotton stuff; but on high and festive occa-
sions he wore garments Of fine linen, striped or
dyed in red. He never reclined at meals.
He ate with his fingers; and when he had fin
ished, he would lick them before he wiped his
hands. The indulgences to which he was
most addicted were women, scents, and food.
In the first two of these, Ayesha tells US, he
had his hearts desire; but when she adds that
he was straitened in the third, we can only
attribute the saying to the vivid contrast be-
tween the frugal habits prevalent at the rise
of Islam, and the luxurious living which rs-
pidly followed in the wake of conquest and
prosperity. Mahomet with his wives, lived
In row Of low and homely cottages built of
unbaked bricks; the apartments were separa-
ted by walls of palm branches rudely dObbed
with mud; curtains of leather, or of black hair
cleth, supplied the place of doors and windows.
Lis abode was to all easy of access-'even as
the rivers bank to him that draweth water
therefrom.' Yet we have seen that he main
tanned the state and dignity of real power
No approach was suffered to familiarity of
action or of speech. The prophet must be ad-
dressed in subdued accents and in a reverential
style. His word was absolute. His bidding
was law A remarkable feature was the uT-
banity and consideration with which Mahomet
treated even the most insignificant of his fol
lowers. Modesty and kindness, patience, self.
denial and generosity, peryaded his conduct
and riveted the affections of all around him.
He disliked to say No /; IL unable to reply to q
petitioner in the affirmative, he preferred to
remain silent"