8vo. xv, 504 pp., [1 errata], green cloth, translated from Arabic by Theodore Preston, previous owner’s name inscribed verso front cover, otherwise copy clean and in very good condition, reprint of the London Oriental Translation Fund first edition of 1850, Gregg International Publishers Limited, Westmead, Farnborough, 1971.

Synopsis

Abu Mohammed al Kasim Ibn Ali Al-Hariri of Basra (1055-1122), wrote this work which is still considered as a treasure of Arabic literature. This work contains a long introduction which in fact is an analysis to Arab literature during Hariri’s life. Fifty Assmbleis are translated with notes and the opening address of Al-Hariri. Many European Orientalist faced difficulty in translating this work. The German Orientalist Schultens translated only six Assemblies, de Sacy translated only two. Other partial attempts have been made by different scholars, but the rendering are said to be extremely defective.