FLOWERS FROM A PERSIAN GARDEN.

 I. Sketch of the Life of the Persian Poet Saádí—Character of his Writings—the Gulistán, or Rose-Garden—Prefaces to Books—Preface to the Gulistán—Eastern Poets in praise of Springtide

 II. Boy’s Archery Feat—Advantages of Abstinence—Núshirván on Oppression—Boy in terror at Sea—Pride of Ancestry—Misfortunes of Friends—Fortitude and Liberality—Prodigality—Stupid Youth—Advantages of Education—The Fair Cup-bearer—‘January and May’—Why an Old Man did not Marry—The Dervish who became King—Muezzin and Preacher who had bad voices—Witty Slave—Witty Kází—Astrologer and his Faithless Wife—Objectionable Neighbour

 III. On Taciturnity: Parallels from Caxton’s Dictes and preface to Kalíla wa Dimna—Difference between Devotee and Learned Man—To get rid of Troublesome Visitors—Fable of the Nightingale and the Ant—Aphorisms of Saádí—Conclusion

 ORIENTAL WIT AND HUMOUR.

 I. Man a Laughing Animal—Antiquity of Popular Jests—‘Night and Day’—The Plain-featured Bride—The House of Condolence—The Blind Man’s Wife—Two Witty Persian Ladies—Woman’s Counsel—The Turkish Jester: in the Pulpit; the Cauldron; the Beggar; the Drunken Governor; the Robber; the Hot Broth—Muslim Preachers and Misers

 II. The Two Deaf Men and the Traveller—The Deaf Persian and the Horseman—Lazy Servants—Chinese Humour: The Rich Man and the Smiths; How to keep Plants alive; Criticising a Portrait—The Persian Courtier and his old Friend—The Scribe—The Schoolmaster and the Wit—The Persian and his Cat—A List of Blockheads—The Arab and his Camel—A Witty Baghdádí—The Unlucky Slippers

 III. The Young Merchant of Baghdád; or, the Wiles of Woman

 IV. Ashaab the Covetous—The Stingy Merchant and the Hungry Bedouin—The Sect of Samradians—The Story-teller and the King—Royal Gifts to Poets—The Persian Poet and the Impostor—‘Stealing Poetry’—The Rich Man and the Poor Poet

 V. Unlucky Omens—The Old Man’s Prayer—The Old Woman in the Mosque—The Weeping Turkmans—The Ten Foolish Peasants—The Wakeful Servant—The Three Dervishes—The Oilman’s Parrot—The Moghul and his Parrot—The Persian Shopkeeper and the Prime Minister—Hebrew Facetiæ

 TALES OF A PARROT.

 I. General Plan of Eastern Story-books—The Tútí Náma, or Parrot-Book—The Frame-story—The Stolen Images—The Woman carved out of Wood—The Man whose Mare was kicked by a Merchant’s Horse

 II. The Emperor’s Dream—The Golden Apparition—The Four Treasure-seekers

 III. The Singing Ass: the Foolish Thieves: the Faggot-maker and the Magic Bowl

 IV. The Goldsmith who lost his Life through Covetousness—The King who died of Love for a Merchant’s Daughter—The Discovery of Music—The Seven Requisites of a Perfect Woman

 V. The Princess of Rome and her Son—The Seven Vazírs

 VI. The Tree of Life—Legend of Rájá Rasálú—Conclusion

            ADDITIONAL NOTE:

            The Magic Bowl, etc.

 RABBINICAL LEGENDS, TALES, FABLES, AND APHORISMS.

 I. Introductory: Authors, Traducers, and Moral Teachings of Talmud

 II. Legends of some Biblical Characters: Adam and Eve—Cain and Abel—The Planting of the Vine—Luminous Jewels—Abraham’s Arrival in Egypt—The Infamous Citizens of Sodom—Abraham and Ishmael’s Wives—Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife—Joseph and his Brethren—Jacob’s Sorrow—Moses and Pharaoh

 III. Legends of David and Solomon, etc.

 IV. Moral and Entertaining Tales: Rabbi Jochonan and the Poor Woman—A Safe Investment—The Jewels—The Capon-carver

 V. Moral Tales, Tables, and Parables: The Dutiful Son—An Ingenious Will—Origin of Beast-Fables—The Fox and the Bear—The Fox in the Garden—The Desolate Island—The Man and his Three Friends—The Garments—Solomon’s Choice—Bride and Bridegroom—Abraham and the Idols—The Vanity of Ambition—The Seven Stages of Human Life

 VI. Wise Sayings of the Rabbis

            ADDITIONAL NOTES:

            Adam and the Oil of Mercy

            Muslim Legend of Adam’s Punishment, Pardon, Death, and Burial

            Moses and the Poor Woodcutter

            Precocious Sagacity of Solomon

            Solomon and the Serpent’s Prey

            The Capon-carver

            The Fox and the Bear

            The Desolate Island

            Other Rabbinical Legends and Tales

 AN ARABIAN TALE OF LOVE.

            ADDITIONAL NOTES:

            ‘Wamik and Asra’

            Another Famous Arabian Lover

 APOCRYPHAL LIFE OF ESOP.

            ADDITIONAL NOTE:

            Drinking the Sea Dry

 IGNORANCE OF THE CLERGY IN THE MIDDLE AGES.

 THE BEARDS OF OUR FATHERS.

 INDEX.