at this time of Day, when all parts of Learning are cultivated with so
much Exactness; yet we hope that it will not be altogether unacceptable
to the curious Reader to know what the state of Learning was among the_
Arabs, _five hundred Years since. And if what we shall here communicate,
shall seem little in respect of the Discoveries of this discerning Age;
yet we are confident, that any_ European, _who shall compare the
Learning in this Book, with what was publish'd by any of his own
Country-men at that time, will find himself obliged in Conscience to
give our Author fair Quarter_.


* * * * *


_Abu Jaaphar Ebn Tophail_'s

INTRODUCTION

To the LIFE of

_Hai Ebn Yokdhan_.

_In the Name of the most Merciful God_.[1]

Blessed be the Almighty and Eternal, the Infinitely Wise and Merciful
God, _who hath taught us the Use of the PEN_[2], who out of his great
Goodness to Mankind, _has made him understand Things which he did not
know_. I praise him for his excellent Gifts, and give him thanks for his
continued Benefits, and I testify that there is but One God, and that he
has no Partner[3]; and that _MAHOMET_ is his Servant and Apostle[4],