And fair damfels, having large black eyes resembling pearls hidden in their fhells, as a reward for that which they fhall have wrought. They fhall not hear therein any vain discourse, nor any charge of fin; but only the falutation of peace, peace. And the companions of the right hand shall have their abode among lote trees, free from thorns, and trees of maus loaded regularly with their fruits from top to bottom, under an extended fhade, near a flowing water, and amidst fruits in abundance, which fhall not fail, nor fhall be forbidden to be gathered; and they fhall repose themselves on lofty beds. Verily we have created the damfels of Paradife with a peculiar creation, and we have made. them virgins beloved by their husbands, of equal age with them, for the delight of the companions of the right hand." Vol. II. p. 414. They fhall enjoy wives fubject to no impurity," Vol. I. p. 57. 105; and there fhall they continue for ever." Ib. p. 5.

66

"Near them shall fit the virgins of Paradife, refraining their looks, and of equal

age

with them. This is what ye are promised at the day of account. This is our provision which fhall not fail." Koran, Vol. II. p. 323." They fhall fit facing one another. And we will efpoufe them to fair damfels, having large black eyes. In their place they fhall call for all kinds of fruits in full fecurity." Ib. p. 366.

"For him who dreadeth the tribunal of his Lord, there are prepared two gardens, in each of them fhall be two fountains flowing. In each of them there shall be fruits of two kinds. They fhall repofe on couches, the lining of which fhall be thick filk interwoven with gold, and the fruit of the two gardens fhall be near at hand to gather. Therein fhall receive them beautiful damfels, refraining their eyes from beholding any befides their fpoufes, whom no man fhall have deflowered before them, neither any genius, having complexions like rubies and pearls. And befides thofe fhall be two other gardens of a deep green. In each of them fhall be two fountains, pouring forth plenty of water. In each of them shall

be

be fruits, and palm trees, and pomegraTherein shall be agreeable and beautiful damfels, having fine black eyes,

nates.

and kept in pavilions from public view, whom no man fhall have deflowered before their destined fpoufes, nor any genius. Therein fhall they delight themselves, lying on green cufhions, and beautiful carpets." Koran, Vol. II. p. 412.

For the pious is prepared a place of blifs, gardens planted with trees, and vineyards, and damfels with fwelling breasts, of equal age with themselves, and a full cup." Koran, Vol. II. p. 479.

The state of the wicked in hell, as defcribed by Mahomet, is as dreadful as that of the good in paradise is desirable; and as the delights of his paradife were altogether those of sense, the pains of his hell affect the bodily fenfes only.

According to the Koran, hell has feven gates, to admit different companies of finners at the fame time. Nineteen terrible angels prefide over it. It confifts wholly of fire, both under and over those who are thrown into it. It throws out large fparks, as big as

towers,

towers, and yellow like a camel. The black smoke issuing from it makes a fhade, but not a cool one. It is fubject to burning winds, and yields a found like the braying of an ass.

At the refurrection the wicked will be produced blind. They will be feized by the forelocks and the feet, and be bound together in fetters, with collars on their necks, and a chain of feventy cubits long. They fhall have garments of pitch, and be dragged into hell on their faces. Their treasures will be heated in the fire, and with them marks will be imprinted on their foreheads, fides, and backs. They will have no food but thorns and thiftles, and the fruit of the tree Al Zackum, which will not fatisfy hunger, but will almost choak them when they swallow it. Their drink fhall be boiling water, like molten brafs, which will scald their faces, and burst their bowels. They shall alfo drink the corruption that will flow from the bodies of the damned, and every thing else most filthy; and though they will be eager to drink like thirfty camels, they will only be able to fup it by little and little, as it will not eafily pafs their throats.

Wicked men will be joined to wicked women, but for what purpofe is not faid. But in this fituation the inhabitants of Paradife will look down upon them, and laugh at them; and in this ftate, between life and death, they shall continue for ever; fresh fkins being given to them as the former are burned off.

The paffages in the Koran from which this account is extracted are the following, and many more might have been quoted for the fame purpofe.

"Hell hath seven gates, and to every gate a diftinct company of them fhall be affigned." Koran, Vol. II. p. 72. Save your fouls, and the fouls of your families from the fire whofe fuel is men and ftones,

over which are fet ble." Ib. p. 447. thing unconfumed; neither doth it fuffer any thing to escape. It fcorches men's flesh. Over the fame are nineteen angels appointed. We have appointed none but angels to prefide over hell fire, and we have expreffed the number of them only for an occafion

angels fiery and terri"Hell leaveth not any