New-York tribune., 1918-06-01
Wit, Old and New
From lbn khallikan to the Two
Macs

A BOSWELL. OF BAGHDAD BY E. V. Lucas.
limo PIP. 255 The George H Doran Company.
In this latest book of Mr.. Lucas's we
have collection of essays arranged in
the form of "Thc Arabian Nights" the
work of Ibn Khallikan, who as Kadi
attained high distinctions during his
tens years Of rule over the provinces
of Syria. The author has gathered
these essays from book entitled "Ibn
hhallikan's Biographical Dictionary"
trans lated from the Arabic by Bn Mac
Guckin de Slane. There is a thorough
ness in the methods used by Ibn
Knallikan, and much of human nature
and excellence in it.
Mr.. Lucas, with the faithful record
of biographer. relates that Ibn Khal-
fessor and was born in 1911. Before
he was two years old he was receiving
instruction from his father, and while
he was professor at Cairo Ibn Khal-
likan collected the material for his
dictionary. Mr.. Lucas finds the die
tionary of much interest, not because
he pretends to have any great gift for
selection or as a biographer, but be-
cause it is SO intensely human and
takes account of everything. The au-
thor brings into these pages poets
men. There is very little about the
lives of women in this book, about the
only exception being Duran, who be-
came the wife of Khalif Al-Mamun,
who, according to Ibn Khallikan, "was
induced to marry her by the high es-
TEEN he bore her father" The lavish
ness and rejoicings in the festivities
at the wedding were such as had never
been witnessed before. Mr.. Lucas has
1nd hn T1,,1 ;,-to
with anecdotes, thus:
In sarcasms Al-Yazidi was hard
pressed by Abu Obaida, who was a
very Mr.. Brown wide Bret .Harte)
in being of $50 sarcastic humor
that every one in Basra who had a
reputation to maintain was obliged
to hatter him." When dining once
with Musa 1bn Ar-Rahman Al-Eilali,
one of the pages spilled some gravy
on the skirt Of Abu Obaidas cloak.
"Some gravy has fallen on your
cloak" said Musa, 'but shall give
you ten others in place of it,"
"Nay!" replied Abu Obaida, edo
harm"
Another of Al-Yazidi's satirical eff
forts. which has no forerunner in
lbn Khal!ikan's recollection, is this,
levelled at another mean acquaint-
ance. meannesS, indeed. beng one
of the objectionable offences. espe-
cially in the eyes Of poets who lived
on patronage: "Be careful not to
lose the friendships of Abu 'l-Mikatil
when you approach to partake of his
nleal. Breaking his crumpet is for
him as bad as breaking one of his
limbs. His guests fast against their
will and without meaning to obtain
the spiritual reward which is grant
ed to fasting.'
Apropos Of sarcasm, the Merwan-
ide Omaiyde, who regned in Spain,
received from Mar. the SOVEREIGN
letter. to which he replied in these
terms: "You satirize us because you
have heard Of us. Had we ever
heard of you we should make YOU q
reply"
In the remainder Of his volume Mr..
Lucas delves into speculation of the
character of the first joke in relation
to "The Oldest Joke" and so on: Of
nurses. beauties. fancy dress, etc In
speaking Of the best example of humor
ne remarks that "the question Of the
Two Macs. whose influence. long though
1t is since they eclipscd the gayety Of
the nation by vanishing, is still po
tent. Though gone thev still Jest: or,
at any rate, their jests did not all van
ish with them"
II saw your wife at the masked
ball last night" the first Mac would
say in his rich brogue. "My wife
was at the ball last night" the other
would reply in q brogue of deeper
richness but it wasn't a masked
ball" The first Mac would then ex-
press an overwhe Inning surprise. as
he countered with the devastating
question, "Was that her face ?''
Mr.. Lucas passes from the phiIoso-
phies Of Khallikan to the various d.
versions of the passing show. a blend
ing. of delight and sentiment, with a
sprinkling of fantastic humor
H. A. Fl.